Council narrows trash-service RFP terms, sets Sept. 2 deadline

Mercersburg Borough Council on June 9 set firm parameters for the borough's upcoming trash-service request for proposals, narrowing the standard term and setting a submission deadline.

The council voted to set the RFP base term at two years. The motion, made by Council Vice-President Anthony Frisby and seconded by Jacob Morgan, passed with Frisby, Kelani Craig, Morgan, Joe Burkot and Tom Heefner voting in favor and Paul Sipes opposed. The council also voted to remove the clause that had given the borough sole option to extend an awarded contract for up to two additional one-year increments; that motion was made by Jacob Morgan and carried as recorded. Later, the council amended contract language to offer two-, three- and four-year durations with no option to extend, in a motion by Paul Sipes that passed unanimously.

Council additionally set the RFP submission deadline for Sept. 2, 2025. Kelani Craig made that motion, seconded by Paul Sipes, and it passed with all votes recorded as aye.

The actions on duration and the extension clause respond to a standing contract with Parks that expires at the end of 2025; Solicitor Steve Coccorese noted the draft RFP largely follows prior iterations but that council needed to choose term and bag-collection specifics before advertising. The council did not decide bag-collection quantities at the meeting. The council recorded votes for each motion in the meeting minutes.