The city needs to consider replacing its truck fleet if it continues curbside trash collections.
WESTFIELD – The city’s trash collection task force expects to complete its review of private versus municipal curbside waste collection within the next two months.
City Councilor Christopher M. Crean, chairman, said the task force intends to bring a recommendation to Mayor Daniel M. Knapik in December.
Currently, the nine-member task force is comparing proposals from two private firms, along with the cost of continuing municipal service. Continuation of municipal service will require bonding of at least $1 million to replace vehicles now used for both curbside and recycling collection.
Crean said several companies submitted proposals for privatization of service and the task force agreed to continue its review of proposals by Waste Management of Chicopee and County Waste of New York.
The task force is scheduled to meet Nov. 3 to continue that review, Crean said.
“We are looking at the cost analysis of continuing the current system along with any costs to residents if we outsource collections,” he said.
“We know that if the city continues curbside collection we are facing the need to buy new trucks,” Crean said.
“Our plan is to present a final report to the mayor in December, he said.
The task force, which includes City Councilor Gerald E. Tracy, former Mayor Edward McDermott, Health Director M. Daniel Reardon, city Purchaser Tammy B. Tefft and Department of Public Works Superintendent James M. Mulvenna, was appointed last May to determine if there are savings in privatization of trash collections.
Knapik has said he will consider bonding the cost of new municipal trash vehicles if necessary. That cost is estimated at about $1.3 million for five refuse trucks and another $700,000 to replace three recycling trucks.
Currently, households pay an annual $85 fee toward curbside collection and the task force will determine if that fee can be reduced through privatization.