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Middletown weighs automated trash options as single‑hauler bids show steep price increases
Summary
Township staff presented three service models for a five‑year single‑hauler trash contract, showing potential resident costs rising from $401 to as much as $700 annually; staff urged public input and a survey closes July 31 ahead of an August Board vote.
Township staff presented options for a five‑year, single‑hauler trash and recycling contract and described tradeoffs between preserving manual collection and switching to automated pickup.
Ms. Steely Cooles, who led the presentation, said Waste Management was the low bidder and that the township currently pays residents $401 annually for service. "If we were to remain exactly as is, the number would go up to $700 a year or a 75% increase," she said, explaining bids included options to keep manual twice‑weekly service, move to automated twice‑weekly collection, or move to automated once‑weekly collection with different bulk‑collection schedules.
Why it matters: the change would affect about 12,000 properties in Middletown and could alter how residents manage bulk items and yard waste. Staff emphasized that recycling markets and broader industry costs have driven much of the increase, and that some townhome developments cannot accommodate automated trucks and would be carved out to retain manual service.
Key details: staff said the automated option would come with two 96‑gallon carts per household (one trash, one recycling) supplied by the hauler; residents could request a smaller container after the first quarter. Ms. Cooles said the bid included options so that some neighborhoods (including identified townhome communities) would keep manual routes: "Those neighborhoods will retain manual collection." She also addressed labor concerns raised online, quoting Waste Management: "We will not be firing drivers...they actually still need drivers on non automated routes."
Public response: more than 1,600 survey responses had been received as of the meeting, but staff said they are validating addresses and will publish full survey results after the July 31 close. During public comment, longtime resident Ray Post said he "strongly support[s] the manual, trash collection," and argued once‑weekly manual service (if offered) might be an acceptable compromise. Sheldon Post raised concerns about bulk pickup frequency and the visual impact of items waiting for monthly pickup. Danielle Skoll said automated carts pose practical issues for older residents and townhouse parking configurations and raised hygiene and rodent concerns associated with reduced collection frequency.
Next steps: staff urged residents to complete the survey and noted the Board will vote on the contract in August. The township has launched public information ("Trash Talks" e‑news) and an FAQ at TrashFAQ@middletownbucks.org; staff said the bid structure prevents reopening the bid for a new once‑a‑week manual option now that bidding has closed.
