Hoodwinked Again!

[JoeP]

I have to wonder why I spend time and effort posting things on this site.  While a slow stream of viewers show up, rarely if ever does anyone have anything to say.

Back in September I warned that the Garbage Contract was up for renewal.  Now it is January, and while 189 people read the post, there was not a peep from anyone.  Well it looks like the Township Supervisors had another secret backroom meeting.

For those of you who don't check the Township web site, please be aware the following was just posted;
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GARBAGE COLLECTION

Newton Township along with South Abington Township and Clarks Green Borough have negotiated new garbage contracts.  Newton Township's contract with Waste Management expires on December 31, 2008.
DO NOT PAY THE NEW BILL YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Newton Township will sign the garbage contract with J.P. Mascaro for 2009-2013.  Mascaro's first pick-up will be January 6, 2009.

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This brings the following observations:

1. For residents who do not use the Internet, how did the Township plan to inform them of the change?

2. If you already paid your WM bill, good luck, now you will have to try and get it back.  Will the Township assist (because they failed to give the residents adequate notice)?

3. I read the township Planning, Supervisor and Work Session minutes and nothing was ever mentioned about negotiating a new garbage contract, no less with a different outfit.  Why not?

4. A far as I know, there was no public discussion or bidding process.  This looks like another 11th hour backroom deal.

5. When will we get a pick up schedule and what are the new rates (bet they aren't cheaper)?

6. What are our weekly limits, restrictions and do they handle recycling like WM did?

7. It looks like it is still business as usual with the gang of three.

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You can't say I didn't warn you folks but I guess no one gives a damn.  I will send the above observations to the Township, not that I expect they care what one resident has to say.

Joe Palumbo

[Darkwizdm]

I guess there was some misunderstanding of the contracts expiration date..........yeah right!

$82.91 a quarter.......Maybe its time I start burning my garbage!!!!

[JoeP]

The inept township supervisors just ran us over again with the garbage truck and no one has anything to say - including the people who setup this site when the supervisors screwed up the last garbage contract.  What a disappointment.

Either most residents don't give a damn, don't care or don't know what's going on.  This is obvious by everyone's silence.

No one cares that the supervisors have yet to inform the residents of the new rates, restrictions, etc.  They still work via osmosis.  Duh!

$82.91 (new rate you say) minis $67.14 (WM old rate) = $15.77 more per quarter.  What does the increase buy us?

I'm mad as hell
 :mad:

[Sal]

We didn't hear anything about it.  We paid the bill and our trash is out but not picked up like many other people's trash that is sitting out there.  

Apparently, not many people knew about this.

I will notify the registered members of this website if that helps any.

[susie]

Hi JoeP, I do feel bad that I am not on top of things and know what's going ( esp. since my husband is the administrator of the site LOL), but not everyone has the luxury of that kind of time. I know I don't.

[JoeP]

Me again......(I'll think I change my site ID name to "Garbage Man")

Newton residents should have now received their garbage bill from J. P. Mascaro.  The 1st quarter is $82.90.  As usual, the silence is deafening from the inept gang of 3 supervisors.

More concerns/questions I have;

1. I called the Township and I was told WM's bid was very high.  So why are they not telling us what it was?  Anyone know?

2. Isn't the new (Mascaro) contract public info and shouldn't it be available online?

3. I for one would have liked to see what Waste Management's bid was?  Their January 2009 bill was at the same rate as the 2008 rate - no increase - and technically no contract was in place!

4. How long is this new contract for and what are the yearly rates?

5. Muhlenberg Township, 6,600 households, awarded its trash contract to J.P. Mascaro & Sons, effective 1-1-09, for once a week pickup for $240 annually or $60 a quarter.  How come the Newton Supervisors couldn't get us a similar rate?

6. While no online payment option was specified in the letter/invoice sent by Mascaro & Sons, they do have a web site and it has an online bill pay selection.  Go here: -> http://www.jpmascaro.com/

7. Why do I feel like I'm whistling in the wind?

[crblacklab]

I too was made aware of the garbage contract after the fact and I think it is a shame we all got "railroaded" with the new contract.  It is definately much more expensive then what we were paying, and as tax payers aren't we entitled to see what the bids were?  It sound to me like the gang of 3 didn't wake up in time to realize we needed a new contract, after all should they really be aware of when our current contracts expire, they are only our supervisors.  

I think the township taxpayers need to come out to the township meetings and become more involved, and they can see for themselves how poorly our township is being run.  I have observed zoning violations in the township, properly filed a complaint with the Board of Supervisors, and eventually attended public meetings of elected officials in which it became apparent that they did not appear to represent the best interest of their constituents.  They are not enforcing the existing zoning regulations and by failing to do so are causing the township to unduly expend resources and manpower on an issue that can be simply rectified by fining the offending party for the violation.

[car196]

Maybe the contract was less so we pay more??

[red]

Put out large container on wheels for pick up this past Friday.  Container not emptied.  Call Mascaro Friday afternoon and was told they would send someone out Saturday to pick up.  Container was again not emptied but this time was taged stating that it was too heavy for pick up.  Container was filled with grass clippiings.  What gives???