The Hamlet Town Council wants to explore its options before renewing its garbage and recycling contract.
Republic Services is asking for a rate increase in its renewal proposal, according to Council President Dave Kesvormas. “This one says, ‘As discussed, Republic would like to extend the current contract that will end on February 28,'” he read from the proposal. “‘These are proposed rates based on not adding or changing any service levels. We are working on changing the recycling pickup day to be the same as waste, as you requested, but cannot confirm we will be able to do this at this time. We will also need to address the waste being put it recycle containers with education and the offering of additional waste containers for an additional cost.'”
Council members felt the pricing seemed fair, but council member Brian Earnest still thought it would be worth looking at other options. “I have no complaints with Republic,” he said. “I just think that we should bid it. It’s an expense that the town takes on.”
Kesvormas said the only major complaint he’s heard about Republic Services has to do with the pickup day. “There’s a lot of people saying that Friday is really a crappy day to get garbage or whatever because if you stay home and you clean up over the weekend, you fill your garbage can up right on the weekend and you have to go a whole week with your garbage can being full. So, I mean, I get that.”
Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts said she’s heard from at least one other company interested in providing trash and recycling pickup for the town. Council members decided to solicit bids. They’ll be opened during the council’s February 14 meeting, to give them the chance to make a decision before the current contract expires.
