The council’s primary focus was on the award of a solid waste and recycling collection contract. The contract duration was a point of contention, with the proposal initially suggesting a five-year term. This change was prompted by new information on contract durations in neighboring municipalities, such as Rumson and Little Silver, which experienced substantial cost increases upon their recent renewals. Rumson’s contract saw a 40% increase, while Little Silver faced over a 100% increase during their last renewal.

The discussion delved into the financial implications of the contract length. It was argued that a five-year contract with incremental increases of 2%, 2%, 2%, 4%, and then 2% could provide cost stability and mitigate future financial challenges due to inflation or deflation. However, concerns were raised about the potential limitations imposed by such a long-term commitment. One council member highlighted the unpredictability of future governing bodies and their potential to change service priorities.

A question emerged regarding the possibility of adding supplementary services to a five-year contract. A council member inquired about establishing a secondary contract for additional recycling services if the main contract only provided bi-weekly recycling. The exclusivity of the Suburban Disposal bid was noted.

As the debate continued, council members expressed varying perspectives. One member supported the three-year option, emphasizing the need for borough staff to prioritize research and preparation for future bidding opportunities. They expressed concern that a five-year contract would limit flexibility and complicate future efforts to restore services or explore alternatives. Another council member acknowledged the benefits of the five-year resolution but preferred the three-year option to encourage more immediate exploration of innovative waste management strategies.

The council also recognized the complexities involved in balancing cost certainty against the need for adaptive service changes. A council member noted a desire to collaborate with surrounding municipalities to advocate for reforms to the Appropriations cap. There was a call for creative solutions, including community-driven efforts to reduce waste.

After examination and discussion, a motion was made to approve “option one,” which included quarterly bulk pickup, weekly garbage pickup with twice-a-week service during the summer, and bi-weekly recycling. This motion was seconded and approved through a roll call vote.

Following the vote, the council transitioned to public comments, during which no members of the public spoke. However, a council member raised a concern about the introduction of an electric bike ordinance. They expressed urgency, noting the increasing presence of electric bikes on the streets and the potential safety issues arising from their unregulated use.

The conversation then shifted to communication strategies regarding the newly passed waste management measures. The council emphasized the importance of effectively disseminating information about trash and recycling services to residents. The administrator was encouraged to enhance communication efforts, particularly regarding open houses and available materials. Specific details about the trash pickup schedule were discussed, with suggestions that Tuesday should be designated as the primary trash pickup day, with an additional pickup on Friday during the summer months. The recycling schedule was confirmed to remain on Wednesdays.

Concerns were raised about the timing of bulk pickups, especially following holidays like Christmas, when increased waste production is expected. The council acknowledged that adjustments might be necessary to ensure timely pickups after such events.