Shane W Potter

SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough residents can expect to receive a better rate and customer service experience when it comes to trash hauling starting in the new year.

Slippery Rock Borough Council voted 5-0 during its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, to approve the bid from Tri-County Industries, a new hauler, for the next three years of trash hauling service.

According to solicitor Rebecca Black, residents are currently paying just over $30 a month on average for their service, but will now be paying closer to $25 a month when the contract goes takes effect on Jan. 1.

The idea of a new contract was originally discussed by council in August after two residents expressed discontent with Aiken Refuse, citing recurring instances of garbage not getting picked up and unpleasant customer service.

When council voted to advertise a request for proposals, Black said the borough would not be able to exclude Aiken from submitting a proposal. The new contract had language added to ensure better customer service.

The two bids received from Aiken and Tri-County were previously opened at a meeting on Oct. 7, but council needed to calculate a more precise rate due to the difference being less than a dollar.

Black said at Tuesday’s meeting that she did the calculations multiple ways and under most circumstances, Tri-County Industries was the lowest bidder.

“In the bid specs, all interested bidders were requested to submit bids for provisions of the collection services based on that estimated 700 units with 20% of them utilizing the low-volume containers,” she explained.

She said she noticed other small issues with Aiken’s bid that could technically disqualify it, but since Tri-County was the lower bidder, that really doesn’t matter.

“Council has been very vocal about customer service contact and ensuring that there is a procedure in place to get quick responses,” Black said. “On your bid form, you require that each contractor provided you a direct dial for the customer service manager, route supervisor and general manager. Aiken provided only the general phone number for the company.”

The contract with Tri-County Industries is expected to start on Jan. 1 and be in effect until the end of 2028.