Trash hauler pact discussed at Liberty Township meeting

Some residents didn’t want other haulers stopped from operating in the township.

STAFF REPORT

LIBERTY — The township is down a police officer, and trustees will further research granting Allied Waste of Youngstown an exclusive pact to haul away residents’ trash.

At a special meeting Tuesday, trustees unanimously agreed to fire Police Officer Charles Sayre. The board was briefed last week that there were 12 charges against him. Those charges weren’t revealed at the meeting.

Sayre, however, did place a global positioning system in the car of his girlfriend and used the device to track her whereabouts.

After nearly two hours of discussion, the township trustees tabled the issue of making Allied Waste the township’s exclusive trash hauler by contract.

The meeting to discuss the garbage contract gave voice to a vocal minority who opposed prohibiting other trash haulers from operating in Liberty.

“Don’t take away our choice,” called out one woman from the audience, which filled the seats of the township administration building.

Still, when a man in the audience asked for a show of hands, more were raised in support of the plan than in opposition.

Another show of hands indicated that about half in attendance would end up paying more than their current garbage service, although free curbside recycling is part of the new plan at a monthly rate of $15.43, which would be locked in for three years.

The plan also offers an alternative to the monthly fee where individual bags purchased from Allied are picked up for $2 each.

Some in attendance called for competitive proposals from other companies.

The trustees said, however, the companies passed up their publicized chance to bid.

Fifty-three-year Liberty resident Lou Pizzuto took the floor twice, warning: “Once we sign a contract, we are stuck.”

Trustee Jodi Stoyak answered quickly: “Stuck at a great price,” though she said her rate at home would increase.

Allied reports that 40 percent of residents will pay more, 40 percent will pay less and 20 percent will pay the same.

Trustee W. Gary Litch threw a wrench in the discussion when he announced that he was currently violating the terms of the new plan by putting his parents’ trash in with his own for collection. The new plan prohibits households from pooling trash.

“Are we going to enforce the rules ... for everyone?” Litch asked.

Brent Bowker, Allied’s general manager, faced a sometimes hostile audience and said his company eats the cost when residents don’t pay for unlimited trash pickup and pool trash.

Trustee Jack Simon asked for another meeting, and Litch called for another public discussion before the bid expires July 23.