Tired of overpaying for trash pickup? Hamburg just signed a game-changing contract that could put over $200 back in your pocket each year! No more haggling with private companies – just one simple, cheaper solution. Ready for a cleaner town and a fatter wallet?
Hamburg residents are on the cusp of a significant financial relief, with a new municipal garbage collection contract set to save households $200 or more annually while streamlining waste management services across the town.
This forthcoming change marks a major departure from the previous fragmented system, where individual homeowners were tasked with negotiating their own refuse services with multiple private providers such as Modern Disposal, Waste Management, or Casella. The new centralized approach promises uniformity and cost efficiency, eliminating the variability in pricing that previously burdened residents.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Modern Disposal has been awarded the three-year contract, emerging as the sole waste and recycling service provider for the Town of Hamburg. The annual cost for each household will be just under $240, integrated directly into town taxes rather than requiring separate payments to a private company. New garbage totes are also conveniently included in this comprehensive price.
Bob Mahoney, a Hamburg resident and member of the town’s Refuse and Recycling Committee, lauded the transition, emphasizing the substantial financial benefits for the community. He highlighted that the average household is projected to save over $200 each year, and potentially even more, contrasting sharply with his own experience of paying over $400 annually to a private provider under an “open market with no control.”
Indeed, the town previously saw residents paying vastly disparate rates for trash pickup, with annual costs ranging widely from $400 to an exorbitant $800. The new unified system guarantees that all participating residents will now pay an equitable, standardized price for essential waste collection, fostering a sense of fairness and predictable budgeting for household expenses.
The comprehensive contract specifies weekly trash pickup and bi-weekly recycling services, alongside regular bulk garbage collection. Furthermore, a critical safeguard for residents is the contract’s cap on annual service price increases, limited to a maximum of 3.5%, ensuring long-term financial stability and protection against sudden cost spikes.
It is important to note that the new contract does not extend to the Villages of Hamburg and Blasdell, apartment buildings with more than four units, or commercial properties. Unlike some neighboring towns that operate their own sanitation departments, Hamburg’s model aligns with similar successful contracts implemented in municipalities like Orchard Park, Evans, and Eden, demonstrating a proven approach to public waste management.
As the transition approaches, with services expected to commence next year, residents are advised to reconsider signing new year-long contracts with their current providers. Town officials, including Mahoney, recommend exploring quarterly or monthly arrangements to facilitate a smoother shift. A public meeting in October will also be held to address residents’ questions and provide further details on this pivotal community initiative.
