Rumpke bid is lowest; objections raised
By CARLA SMITH
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Rumpke is the lowest bidder for
Some residents at the July 6 trustees meeting weren't
pleased.
"I would like to know where it says in law that the
township can do this without going before the people for a vote,"
Several residents shared the sentiment after trustees
opened bids from five trash haulers at the meeting. Trustees didn't award a
contract at the time.
Peter Griggs, attorney for the township, said under Title V
of the Ohio Revised Code, townships have the authority to seek a single trash
hauler to exclusively serve the township. Some townships in
Some residents shouted "freedom of choice" from
the back of a crowd of about 200 at the meeting, held at the fire station on Inah. The location switched from the township hall to the
fire station because of the number of people attending.
Local haulers bidding on the exclusive contract to serve all of the township were Waste Management, Local Waste
Services, Public Services, Rumpke and Flowers Garbage
Inc.
Rumpke appeared to have offered the best deal, including an
option of a three- or four-year contract. That contract would include a
single-day service for the entire township. For both the three- and four-year
contracts, years 1-3 would charge $13.34 per month per household for unlimited
trash services, including recycling and yard waste pickup. The rate of year
four of the contract per household would be $13.55 per month.
Local Waste Services was second lowest bidder, also
offering three- and four-year contracts. However, it would take three days to
haul trash for the entire township.
Flowers Garbage Inc. came in the highest, offering both
three- and four-year contracts with a three-day pickup schedule.
The concern expressed by many residents is the possibility
of putting a local hauler out of business. Robert Cumberlander,
owner and operator of Cumberlander Refuse, serves
1,100 residents in the Lincoln Village North and South areas. Cumberlander is the second generation to run the business
his father established in 1967.
Resident Rhonda Loless said she
remembers Cumberlander's father picking up her
parents' trash when she was a child. Loless, who now
has a home of her own in the same area, still uses Cumberlander.
"He has always done a superb job," Loless said. "What big company is going to do that for
our township?"
Resident Steve Kennedy said the majority of the township
doesn't want the trustees to pursue a single trash-hauler service.
"The reason is to save this man's job," Kennedy
said.
"You are putting a small businessman out of
business," resident Neil Distelhorst said.
"He can't compete. It's obvious these people love this man. If people want
to pay more to get good service, I say let them have it."
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