Edison residents press council over high township garbage fees as sanitation bond moves forward

Several residents told the Edison Township Council on June 24 that they are paying far more for municipal garbage service than neighbors who have private haulers and asked the council to give homeowners options or otherwise make the system fairer. "It's unfair that other people have an option," resident Alok Sud said, identifying himself as living at 2 Quincy Road in Edison. "They can select from multiple providers, but we can't do that."

Vikram Moja, who said he lives on Compton Avenue, gave example figures for the council, saying private service can cost about $30 per month while some township bills run "like $760 or 800" a year for certain addresses. "So that's why I came here — we want competition for garbage collection," he said.

Council members and staff described the sanitation district as having a historical, parcel-based setup. Sonia (administration) told the council she and the attorney will research the legal structure and authority for adding or removing areas from township collection; the council asked for a clearer explanation at the next meeting. Council members said the sanitation charge is part of the township's sanitation district and that Department of Public Works costs are borne by residents through that structure.

A council member asked whether the proposed capital bond item — described by a resident during public comment as a $1,400,000 sanitation line — would be included in the sanitation district assessment. Administration confirmed that sanitation items in the bond ordinance will be paid from the sanitation district rather than general municipal taxation, and that the capital ordinance combines many projects. "This will be part of the sanitation," a township official confirmed during the meeting.

Why it matters: dozens of residents told council the difference between privately contracted trash service and township-provided collection has a real effect on household budgets. Residents asked for options, clearer billing comparisons, and a public explanation of which capital items or bond proceeds will affect sanitation district assessments. The council directed administration to investigate the legal basis for the existing district boundaries and report back.

What happens next: Council members asked the administration and the attorney to bring back detailed information on (1) how the sanitation district is set up, (2) whether neighborhoods can opt in or out, and (3) how the sanitation line in the capital ordinance will be allocated. Administration said it would research and return with answers at the next scheduled meeting.