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Orange selects new waste and recycling contractors amid debate over larger toters
Summary
The Board of Selectmen approved multiple waste-hauling contracts June 10, choosing City Carding for MSW hauling and Envirro Express for recycling collection after vendors and residents debated whether larger town- or vendor-owned toters are preferable and who would bear long-term replacement costs.
The Orange Board of Selectmen voted June 10 to award municipal solid-waste hauling to City Carding and recyclables collection to Envirro Express after hearing company representatives and public comment on service levels and ownership of larger toters.
Board members said pricing and continuity of service were central considerations. Staff presented multi-year bids showing City Carding substantially undercutting competitors on MSW hauling, and Envirro Express was recommended and approved as the lowest responsive bidder for recyclables collection. Jim Britain, the first selectman leading the meeting, said the town must act on the bids as presented and may negotiate details with the chosen vendor afterward.
The decision followed an extended discussion about the size and ownership of toters. Several residents and recycling-committee members have asked for larger 64‑gallon or 96‑gallon containers to reduce overflow of cardboard and packaging. Gracia Basik of Interstate Waste Services told the board, "We can probably negotiate [toter ownership] if I go back and talk to our board," and noted IWS already operates in nearby Shelton and Seymour. Angelo Tutinardi of Envirro Express offered that his firm was "willing to help fund and provide the 96‑gallon toters," and said Envirro could arrange ownership structures so the town would retain control over the containers if that was the board's preference.
City Carding's representative, Sarah Matthews, urged the board to weigh service continuity against price: "The lowest is not always the best," she said, pointing to long-term driver relationships and resident satisfaction as reasons to proceed cautiously if changing vendors.
Board members raised fiscal and logistical concerns about vendor-owned toters. One selectman noted that if a firm provides toters and later loses a rebid, the town could face a buyout or replacement costs. Staff said those buyout scenarios were not detailed in the bid documents and suggested such terms would need negotiation with the selected vendor.
The board approved the awards by roll-call motion. City Carding was authorized for MSW hauling and disposal; Envirro Express was approved for recyclables collection and hauling. The minutes record the motions as made, seconded and carried. The board also accepted a low bid recommendation for bulky-waste hauling to Vyro/Vro Express earlier in the meeting.
