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Trash haulers circulate surveys

Letters urge residents to oppose single-hauler plan

HOLLIDAYSBURG — In the weeks following a controversial decision to bid a contract for single-hauler trash pickup in Hollidaysburg Borough, area trash haulers are continuing the conversation.

This time, they are circulating surveys with hopes of showing council that residents are not in favor of a switch from the current multi-hauler system.

The current system allows customers to choose their own haulers, meaning multiple trash collection services can operate in the same neighborhood, same street or even same block.

In a letter to customers, Matthew Burgmeier, vice president of Burgmeier Hauling Inc., urged others to oppose a switch from that service.

“You will have no choice as to who provides your service,” he said in the letter.

Burgmeier’s letter comes after a decision by Borough Council earlier this month to bid a contract for single-hauler service.

Single-hauler means only one hauler or group of haulers will be allowed to pick up trash within borough limits.

Supporters have said a single-hauler model will reduce costs, improve compliance with trash and recycling rules and reduce trash accumulation and property blight.

The Burgmeier letter finds flaws with those claims, too.

“There are some folks that are in support of this because they think it will save them a few dollars a month,” it reads. “This may be the case initially, however, over time, the prices will increase due to delinquent residents who don’t pay their bills.”

Historical data does not support Burgmeier’s speculation, said John Frederick, executive director of the Intermunicipal Relations Committee, which oversees recycling in Hollidaysburg and other Blair County communities where recycling is mandated by state law.

To prove that point, Frederick pointed to Tyrone Borough — the only Blair County municipality that uses a single-hauler system.

“If this is correct, how do you explain your price in Tyrone going from $14.99 to $14.29 despite high fuel costs at the time of the last bid?” he said.

Burgmeier holds the single-hauler contract in Tyrone.

The average cost of trash service in Hollidaysburg under the current, multi-hauler model is $24 per month, Frederick said.

If a single hauler was approved by council, a monthly trash fee likely would be added to residents’ water bills, and a portion of that money would be allocated to the IRC.

Previously, IRC officials have spoken about the organization’s financial hardships since available state funding was reduced as reserves dwindle.

Without the single-hauler fee, taxes may have to be raised to contribute additional funds to the IRC, officials said.

Burgmeier also took issue with state mandated recycling rules and IRC funding concerns.

“They would like you to believe that going to a one-hauler system will increase the amount of recycling generated in Hollidaysburg, which in turn would get them more state money,” he wrote. “What they won’t tell you is that Pennsylvania’s expectation for recycling volumes has become almost impossible to meet.”

In addition to the letter, Burgmeier mailed a survey to customers. The same survey was mailed by Ken Wertz Hauling & Septic Service Inc. and Paul Kane Trash Removal.

It asks: “Are you in favor of a one-hauler system?”

Kane said his goal is to raise community awareness and to encourage support for the multi-hauler model at council’s next meeting at 7 p.m March 9.

Borough officials aimed to gauge community opinions by asking residents to complete a separate online survey. Results were revealed last month and showed 57 percent of about 130 survey-takers indicated they are in favor of a change to the single-hauler model.

On Monday, Hollidaysburg Councilman Joseph Dodson said new survey results, which have been mailed to his home, are much different.

“Out of the 600, I think seven of them are for (the change) and the rest of them are against it,” he said, explaining he plans to present results at the next council meeting.

Dodson, who is seeking re-election to his council seat this year, said he opposes a change and hopes his fellow council members will feel the same.

“We are not in the business of garbage,” he said. “I like my hauler, and I want to keep them.”

In a split vote last month, council members voted to put a single-hauler contract out to bid. At this month’s meeting, they will determine the specifics of that contract, officials said.

Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.

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