Sewickley officials have approved a new five-year contract with garbage hauler Waste Management.

The borough was one of 11 communities to bid out their trash service through the Quaker Valley Council of Governments.

COG Executive Director Patrick Conners said it was done that way to get a better price than towns bidding as individual municipalities.

Waste Management and Noble Environmental were the only two companies to respond with Waste Management having the lower bid, Conners said.

Each community had various options within the bids to choose from, including adding more recycling.

Sewickley Council made its selections Tuesday night.

Councilwoman Julie Barnes said council opted to continue with weekly curbside waste collection and recycling every other week. New pickup dates have not been announced.

Barnes said current collection costs will rise next year from $19.44 per month per household to $21.98 per month per household, an estimated 14% hike.

Rates will increase about 4% in the subsequent years.

“I think that’s a significant increase, but our alternative was Noble Environmental,” Barnes said. “Their bid was going to be a 78% increase from the current rate. That’s why we went with Waste Management.”

Waste Management is its current garbage hauler. The current five-year contract was set to expire at the end of the year.

Barnes said there were some issues over the years with Waste Management as far as customer service.

The COG will be implementing a program that will hold the garbage hauler more accountable to its contract.

More information about collection dates is expected to be released in the coming months.

Personnel moves

Council approved several personnel moves including adding the titles of secretary, chief administrative officer and trustee of deferred compensation to Borough Manager Donna Kaib.

Council president Jeff Neff said those moves were standards and done with previous managers.

Councilman Larry Rice resigned as assistant secretary. Neff said Rice no longer needed to serve in that capacity with the new manager in place.

Rice remains on council.

Christine Allen has resigned from the planning commission.

Those interested in filling her commission seat can fill out an application via the borough website or at the office, 601 Thorn St.

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