New Kensington considering dumping garbage hauler as residents' complaints pile up

A New Kensington councilman claims city residents would be willing to pay more for garbage collection if it meant getting better service.

Councilman Todd Mentecki said people from across the city have complained about problems with the city’s new garbage company, County Hauling. After more than six months it hasn’t gotten better, he said.

The problem “is the service we’re being provided,” he said during a council meeting Monday. “This is an ongoing issue.”

Mentecki said problems include missed pickups and workers not picking up garbage from streets, lawns and driveways when bags break open. Residents also have complained about their cans being thrown around.

Residents have complained about garbage being picked up late into the night, something Mentecki said he has seen himself.

Mayor Tom Guzzo and Councilman Dante Cicconi said they have heard the complaints.

“It’s the inconsistency of it,” Guzzo said. “That has not worked out well.”

Ro Rozier, a spokeswoman for County Hauling, encouraged New Kensington residents to contact its customer service center if they are having problems.

“We thank residents for their patience with our modified service during covid-19 and we applaud our front-line employees who never stopped working during the pandemic,” she said in a statement. “Despite a huge increase in trash volume during the pandemic, our pickup metrics continue to be excellent in New Kensington. We are always willing to meet with the mayor and community leaders to discuss any issues moving forward.”

Council awarded a contract to County Hauling in December. It was a one-year deal with options for two more.

The deal kept the cost for city residents unchanged at $78.13 per quarter. The city’s previous hauler, Waste Management, was the only other bidder and submitted a higher cost.

Mentecki said said no one has told him they wouldn’t be willing to pay more — $3, $4 or $5 a month — if it meant having the service they had before.

“They told me they don’t care, charge us more,” he said.

Rather than renewing the contract with County Hauling for a second year, Mentecki said the city should seek bids from other companies.

“We are required to go with the lowest responsible bidder,” he said, adding that he doesn’t think County Hauling is doing the job “in a responsible manner.”

Mentecki said city officials have had meetings and phone conversations with County Hauling representatives.

“We’re having a problem and we need to have this addressed,” he said.

Council took no action at its meeting Monday. City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti said they would be meeting with County Hauling again as soon as possible.

Guzzo said they’ll try to get the problems corrected. If they can’t, he said the city would “entertain other thoughts.”