Council members, from left, Jason Hanes, Susan Klinefelter and Keith Claassen discuss the garbage collection contract Tuesday night, Nov 10, in Etna Green. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN. — Town Council approved a five-year contract for garbage and recycling pick up during its meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 10.

The agreement with Republic Services, of South Bend, means the current monthly fee of $14 will remain the same but could be adjusted to allow the company to hike monthly fees by as much as $3.00 if the firm begins losing more money on recycling.

The extension was approved 3-0, but council members expressed some reluctance for fear the rates could rise. Jason Hanes made the motion to approve. Susan Klinefelter reluctantly offered a second and the third vote of support came from Keith Claassen.

Pete Callan, municipal manager for Republic, said they’re experiencing significantly higher fees for processing recycled items at a sorting plant.

He said the change came after China quit accepting recyclables from the United States.

“We’re losing money every time we pick up a recycling bin. We just can’t sustain that,” Callan said. “We’re doing what we can to keep it sustainable.”

Claassen said they would have little choice other than to pass on any necessary increase to residents.

He said the town has enjoyed a good relationship with Republic in the past.

“I don’t think we’re going to find a better price,” Claassen said. “I know from talking to people who have individual pickup, they are paying basically twice as much (without recycling).”

Changes in the fee would only be once per year, if ever, Callan said.

The board also reviewed a proposal to purchase generators that would serve as a backup power supply for the water facility and the park’s building. No decision was made on the issue.