Town poised to toss garbage contractor

The Town of Fredonia didn’t confirm which company would handle its trash and recycling services, but it knows which ones it doesn’t prefer.

Of three bidders, current provider Waste Management was ruled out, as was American Metal and Paper Recycling of West Bend.

The Town Board liked the proposal from Harter’s Lakeside Disposal of Oostburg, but it wants to confirm its price since determining an apples-to-apples comparison among the bids was difficult.

Recycling Center Manager Eric Michaels, who said he never dealt with Harter’s, would like details on equipment.

“The only thing is I would like to know is what kind of containers they have, because it has to be a closed container. If you’ve got paper out there, the wind’s going to be blowing that stuff out,” he said.

Michaels said he also wants to know if some of the recycling items are picked up separately. The town now calls a separate company to pick up corrugated cardboard.

“Is Harter’s going to do that? Do we stick with Harter’s only?” Michaels asked.

Harter’s bid came out to $970 a month, but the town wants to confirm that figure. Waste Management’s is $1,153 and American’s is $1,680.

“I know we’re having some issues with Waste Management service as well, to put it mildly,” Town Chairman Chris Janik said.

Supr. John Depies asked Town Clerk Christophe Jenkins, who is also the administrator for the Village of Fredonia, how the village likes Harter’s. Jenkins said the village has never had an issue with the company.

Jenkins asked if he could let the other two companies know they were out of the running since the bidders were inquiring.

The board agreed, but when it came to Waste Management Janik said, “I’d let ’em hang a little.”

“I kind of like that idea, too,” Supr. Bob Eichner said.

The board tabled action on awarding the contract until November.

The town’s contract with Waste Management’s is up in spring.