BUTLER TWP — The township commissioners have received numerous complaints from senior citizens about the township’s new garbage collection contract, but the township is obligated to honor the deal that went into effect Jan. 1

The contract with Vogel Disposal Service sets rates for senior citizens — defined as a person 65 years or older — at $13.90 per month for 2016, an increase of $60 per year. Monthly rates for senior citizens top out at $14.45 in 2018 under the new contract.

The previous senior citizen rate for garbage collection was $8.90 per month. That was under an agreement the commissioners say they had to end because it included an option for unlimited bag pickup that was not in compliance with Butler County’s solid waste collection ordinance.

Township officials say they requested bids from at least four collection services, but only received one, which was from Vogel. Because the company’s bid met the township’s specifications, officials were obligated under state law to accept it.

Township manager Ed Kirkwood said rejecting the Vogel bid would have resulted in a lawsuit that the township would have lost.

The agreement runs through 2018 but also contains language that could allow the township to rebid the service earlier, Kirkwood said.