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Bulk pickup dispute highlights Paterson's trash contract questions ahead of vote

Paterson Municipal Council ยท October 15, 2025

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Summary

Council members and DPW clashed over whether to renew the city's residential trash contract without bulk pickup. Members asked for a comparative cost analysis of in-house vs. contracted bulk service and for overtime/operational data before next week's regular meeting.

A contentious debate over Paterson's residential trash contract and bulk pickup policy dominated a long portion of the Oct. 14 workshop as council members pressed DPW leaders to show comparative cost figures before renewing a contract option.

Council members said the city has seen increased illegal dumping and bulky trash on streets since the city removed bulk pickup from the contractor's scope. Several members asked the DPW director to produce a comparative analysis showing how much the city saves (or spends) by performing bulk pickup with city crews versus adding bulk back into the contractor's responsibilities.

"Prior to not having bulk in our contract, the city was not as filthy," one council member said, arguing the previous model (contractor included bulk) kept neighborhoods cleaner. The DPW director said the city currently schedules roughly 270 planned bulk pickups each weekend and averages another 150'00 unscheduled pickups; staff also reported a high on-time rate for scheduled pickups. The director said the department had implemented a new app (Recycle Coach) to make scheduling easier for seniors and others.

Council members requested data on overtime totals attributed to in-house bulk pickup, quantities collected, and a side-by-side cost estimate for contracting bulk pickup again. Several members also noted legal and timing constraints: the existing contract contains renewal options, and staff said it would be "unethical" to award a new full contract while an active option is in place; however, temporary or short-term emergency agreements are a possible stopgap.

The council placed the contract question on the regular agenda and directed DPW and finance to deliver a comparative report on costs, overtime, and operational capacity in advance of the next meeting so the council can make an informed decision.