Previous garbage company owes Slippery Rock borough nearly $40,000 in fees
SLIPPERY ROCK — Serafine Hauling, a trash collection service, has accumulated $36,750 in unpaid administrative fees to Slippery Rock Borough, council reported at a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 19.
The fees, which amount to about $7,350 per quarter, “contribute to some of the costs that the borough incurs to implement the contract,” solicitor Rebecca Black said.
“Of that total amount that (residents) are paying, there’s a portion of that is a billing management fee and an administrative fee,” Black said after the meeting. “So Serafine collected all of that and they never paid it.”
Black said Serafine has only submitted two payments to the borough — one for the first quarter of 2022, and another for the fourth quarter. If another quarter is missed, Black said, the company will owe the borough more than $40,000.
Council discovered five quarters worth of unpaid fees while examining the borough’s accounts with the waste management company, which sold a portion of its business to Aiken Refuse without notifying the borough.
Matt Aiken, general manager of Aiken Refuse, addressed council Tuesday evening, saying lack of notice for the sale was due to a miscommunication. Aiken also said concerns regarding bulk pickup have been addressed, with bulky items having been removed from curbs, he said.
Unlimited bulky waste is not part of the contract. Aiken said residents should place bagged waste in appropriate receptacles. Residents can directly contact the waste management company if another pickup is required for an excessive number of garbage bags, Black said.
During the meeting, council granted consent to assign the garbage contract with Serafine Hauling to Aiken Refuse.
The borough also approved the proposed 2024 budget with no tax increase.
Mayor Jondavid Longo honored councilman Roy Lorentz, who has served on council for 30 years, and will not continue in January.
Longo and the rest of council also recognized the efforts of councilor Denton Zeronas, who is also director of the Parks and Recreation department. Zeronas will not continue on council in 2024.
