Single Hauler Debate Moves to Upper Nazareth

The house is packed in Upper Nazareth

Like Bethlehem, Upper Nazareth has surveyed its residents about switching from an independent to a single trash hauler. Like Bethlehem, those who responded would like a cheaper trash bill. But like Bethlehem, a very vocal group is opposed to a single hauler. That's what was apparent on Monday night, during a crowded meeting of the Township's Recycling Committee. I counted forty people, and heard nobody advocate for a single hauler.

This meeting was chaired by Supervisor Scott Sylvainus, whose mild manner and willingness to listen seemed to mollify an angry crowd.

Some residents would like to be able to vote on this as a ballot question, but Solicitor Gary Asteak told them that the law does not permit referenda on this kind of issue. "In other words, we're getting railroaded," said resident Frank Reichart.

Brenda Basenese stated, "I want to be able to choose who I want to come to my home and trust." She added, "I don't expect the senior citizens should have to pay for my garbage."

Yvonne Plakotaris, who is with independent hauler East Penn Sanitation, told Supervisors that smaller independents would be unable to bid on a single hauler system because of prohibitive bonding requirements. She argued that Supervisors should adopt ordinances similar to those in effect in Bethlehem and Lower Nazareth Townships.

In the survey done by the Township, 231 residents cited lower cost as what mattered most to them. Residents scoffed at the 700 responses as not representative. But that's much higher than the 561 people who voted in the 2011 municipal election.

In Hanover Township, where there is a single hauler in place, there has been a drastic decrease in garbage bills.

Trash collection fees have also gone down in Walnutport Borough. The bid price for residential pick up between 2008 and 2012 for 775 residential pickup was $887,650.00. The new price, for the period between 2013 and 2016, is just $625,873.00.

Single trash haulers are demonstrably cheaper, but people seem to be opposed to the idea.

Att'y Blake Marles Argues Against Single Waste Hauler in Bethlehem

After several years of watching municipal bodies, I can tell you with some certainty that you'll be hard put to find a better advocate before them than Bethlehem Attorney Blake Marles. He's a good guy to have in the foxhole with you. His patrician appearance alone will give your cause gravitas. He knows the Municipalities Planning Code inside out, and prepares.

Isn't that cheating?

Sterner Sanitation, a fourth generation trash hauler with 3,000 customers in Bethlehem, has retained Marles to represent their interests in connection with Mayor John Callahan's proposal to centralize trash collection under one hauler. His most troubling argument, at least to me, is that the City may lack the legal authority to take a slice of the single hauler contract to help pay for its underfunded pension. He calls it "legally suspect."

Here's the letter he sent to Bethlehem City Council:

Marles Argument Against Single Waste Hauler in Bethlehem

Hanover Tp Asked About Bethlehem's Single Hauler Plan

Glenn Walbert

Don't worry. Hanover Township plans no litigation against Allentown or Bethlehem this year. Yet. It's not in their budget. But how does mostly Republican Hanover Township feel about all the trash talk over a single hauler in mostly Democrat Bethlehem? Are the Republicans in the 'burbs laughing at the Dems in the 'hood?

Quite the opposite. To a man, Supervisors and Manager Jay Finnigan agree with Callahan in principle. So do Upper Nazareth Supervisors, who decided last month to hire a single hauler for trash removal.

"It's a no-brainer," states Township Manager Jay Finnigan, who has often been mentioned as the only Republican who could compete in a Northampton County Executive race against Callahan. "The economics are just overwhelming," adds Supervisor Steve Salvesen, who earlier that evening took a shot at President Obama. Under a single hauler, he is paying $130 per month less than he did thirty-four years ago, when he first moved into the Township.

Supervisor Glenn Walbert, who has been following the Bethlehem debate with interest, heard the same pros and cons when a single hauler was proposed in Hanover six years ago. He remembers one elderly lady who claimed she left a quarter under her garbage can. But he and Salvesen also remember that many residents had to go through a half dozen haulers before finding one who  would take what they wanted.

In January, Supervisors awarded a new five-year single hauler contract that actually reduces the monthly fee for most residents from $395 to just $245, and even lower if paid early. But Finnigan added that administrative costs for mailing and collecting bills are only between $1,800 and $3,800.

This Hanover attitude proves the maxim that there's no Democratic or Republican way to fix a pothole. Or pick up trash. Supervisors even had some good suggestions for two very legitimate concerns expressed by those who would like to keep the current system of 19 independent haulers.

First concern. What about the senior citizen on a fixed income who might have just one bag a week? Should she pay the same as everyone else? - No, answered Walbert. He pointed out that in Whitehall Township, fees are discounted or outright waived for seniors who qualify for certain state benefits.

DCED Director Joe Kelly, in Bethlehem, later said that possibility is being considered.

Second concern. Won't this put mom-and-pops out of business? - Not at all. They could form a collective and bid like everyone else.

Bethlehem's City Council considered Callahan's single-hauler proposal last night, but I was unable to get into the room and unable to hear in the hallway. Looks like Bob Donchez and Eric Evans are leaning against a single hauler. Dave DiGiacinto thinks cost could skyrocket, even though Hanover's experience is the reverse.

Oh yeah, Public Works Director Vince Milite had some advice that Bethlehem could use, too. He insists rock salt is much better than salt brine during Winter storms. Bethlehem uses salt brine.

Should Bethlehem Go With a Single Trash Hauler?

Is Bethlehem City Council President Eric Evans "dumb"? That's what blogger Jonathan Geeting, from his roost somewhere in NYC, has clucked. Why? Because Evans thinks that, notwithstanding a recent survey, Bethlehemites may very well be opposed to Mayor John Callahan's proposal to replace 19 private trash haulers with just one. How can Evans be so foolish? Doesn't he know that surveys are sacrosanct?

Regardless of the merits of this proposal, Bethlehem's City Council president likely has a better feel for his constituency than some snotnose based in New York City. Geeting's shrill name-calling is no way to win an argument, although it does give me an excuse to call him a snotnose.

In an excellent Morning Call article, reporter Nicole Radzievich makes it pretty clear that the notion of a single trash hauler in Bethlehem is very controversial. I've seen it myself.

But is it the right thing for Bethlehem?

Tonight, Bethlehem's DCED Director, Joe Kelly, will make the case for a single hauler at West Bethlehem's monthly Block Watch meeting. It's at the Church of the Manger, located at 1401 Greenview Drive. It starts at 7 PM.

Although my ass is still sore from the lightning bolts that went up it the last time I was in a church, I'll be there, and will try to give you the pros and cons without calling Eric Evans dumb.