Hampton Township Council declines Waste Management option, will rebid garbage and recycling contract
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Summary
Council voted to decline a 2027 option year in the township's Waste Management contract after members and staff said municipalities in the North Hills COG were dissatisfied; staff recommended rebidding the contract with an anticipated award in April and asked council to weigh service priorities ahead of March bid advertising.
Hampton Township's council voted to decline the option year on its Waste Management contract and directed staff to pursue a new procurement process so the township can seek competitive bids for garbage and recycling services.
Township staff reported the current contract enters its final year and that the North Hills Council of Governments had asked participating municipalities whether they would exercise a one-year option for 2027. The manager recommended declining the option because at least one community in the joint bid pool has opted out, which would nullify the multi-municipality option. "My recommendation is we decline the option here with Waste Management," staff said during the meeting.
Council members asked about timing risks if the bid process extended past the current contract term. Staff said they did not anticipate a gap in service, adding that Waste Management and other contractors had indicated they would bid on the township's contract. The controller noted the general fund finished the prior year with a $190,000 balance and cautioned that winter expenses — especially road salt purchases — could reduce available reserves.
After discussion, a motion to decline the option year and proceed toward advertising new bids passed by roll call (all present members voting in favor). Staff said they plan to advertise bids in March with a target award in April, noting lead time for trucks and carts. The council did not set specific service-level requirements during the vote; staff said they would return with questions for council about desired contractual provisions before finalizing the bid documents.
The action shifts Hampton from the North Hills COG option-year extension toward an independent solicitation intended to increase competition and provide more bidding options for the township.
What happens next: staff will prepare bid documents and return with recommendations on service specifications and contract terms in advance of March advertising and the anticipated April award.
