Sylvania Township: Trustees mull refuse collection program

1/26/2005

Sylvania Township trustees are considering altering a former proposal to businesses that might bid on a community-wide refuse collection program.

An earlier attempt to set up collection ended when only one company bid for the service and Township Administrator Brad Peebles said that proposal was too expensive for the township.

Officials have been trying to find a way to have one trash hauler in the township as a way to provide the service at a lower price for homeowners and to reduce the number of garbage trucks driving through the township each week.

Dennis Boyle, chairman of the trustees, said parts of the new proposal were suggested by the Lucas County Division of Solid Waste.

Initially the township sought a contract that would allow its residents to voluntarily sign up for the service. The number that contracted for refuse removal would dictate what the charge would be to each household.

That system remains an option, but Mr. Boyle said a second option may be to make all township residents automatically part of a new agreement, but they could opt out of it on an individual basis.

Mr. Boyle said trustees will study the proposal before deciding whether it should go out to bid.

The idea of a single provider to reduce refuse costs to homeowners has been well received by Sylvania Township residents in the past, although some have objected to any non-voluntary system.

Other townships have tried to establish similar systems, but they haven't worked out because residents either were indifferent to the idea or opposed it because they would be forced to use a hauler chosen by the township.