SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough council is advertising for proposals for a trash collection service.

Slippery Rock's three-year contract with Tri-County Industries is ending Dec. 31, and council decided at an April meeting to open bids for service starting in 2022. Council voted to advertise a request for proposals at Tuesday's meeting.

Council president Russ Karl said local services and business owners have approached the borough with interest in taking up the trash collection.

“We have a number of interested parties that want to throw their proverbial hat in the ring,” he said.

According to borough manager Shawn Pugh, about 3,500 residents in the borough get trash collection service. He also said the terms being advertised are basically the same as they are for the current contract with Tri-County Industries.

“There are no major changes to the terms, other than the garbage company would dictate what day they would pick up,” Pugh said.

Council also voted 5-1 to sell a vacant lot near Camelot Restaurant and Kwik Fill gas station. Prior to the vote, two residents asked council to reconsider its sale, including Regina Greenwald, coordinator for Slippery Rock In Bloom, who said the organization could perform beautification efforts at the lot.

Council had discussed the potential sale of the property at several previous meetings.

A few members reminded the concerned residents that advertising the sale does not mean the lot will be purchased or that the borough will sell to just anyone.

Council also voted to extend its agreement with Slippery Rock Township and Slippery Rock Area School District, which maintains the nonprofit that operates Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation. The agreement has been extended by one year.

Over the next year, council may look at the possibility of absorbing parks and recreation. The department would operate in the same way, but the borough would have control over its assets, Pugh said.

Slippery Rock will have an additional council meeting this month, which will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the borough office.