Middle Secures Long-Term Savings in New Waste Collection Contract
Following a protracted bidding and negotiation process, Middle Township has secured a long-term contact for trash and recycling collection with Pinelands Construction, LLC. The new agreement, effective January 1, 2025, locks in an annual rate of $1.55 million dollars for five years.
Middle Township twice rejected bids considered unreasonable on the basis of cost estimates prepared by the Township’s professional consultants. The negotiated contract with Pinelands Construction, LLC was deemed the most cost-effective, long-term solution for the Township. NJ State Statutes permit municipalities to enter into good faith negations for services once two rounds of the bidding process have resulted in the rejection of all bids.
The Township’s negotiations were led by Mayor Chris Leusner, supported by Business Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen and Chief Financial Officer Neil Young.
“Much hard work went into securing the best, long-term deal for our taxpayers,” Leusner said. “The rising cost of trash and recycling collection has become a major burden for many communities. I am satisfied that our team has secured the reliable services of a well-respected contractor, at a fair and stable cost for the next five years.”
By rejecting the low bid of $1.8 million per year acquired in the original bidding process, the Township looks to realize a minimum savings of $250,000 per year over the next five years. A total potential savings of $1.25 million over the life of the newly negotiated contract.
“The Township considered multiple options throughout this process, including the costly prospect of restoring the waste collection process as an in-house function of our Public Works Department,” Leusner explained. “In the end, after careful consideration of several scenarios, we are confident we have achieved the most stable and affordable outcome possible in the current business environment.”
Mayor Leusner asked residents and business owners for their patience as the Township transitions to a new contractor over the next several weeks.
“In order to realize these long-term savings for our taxpayers, we all need to work together with Pinelands Construction, LLC to ensure the timely and efficient collection of our trash and recyclables,” Leusner said. “The Township will be sharing helpful reminders with our residents regarding the guidelines for proper handling of trash and recycling, bulk trash pick-up and the permitted sizes and type of containers under our current ordinance.”
