(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Most borough or city councils in Beaver County as of late have taken to unanimous approval of many of its resolutions on their regular agenda, but all that is necessary is a majority vote–and when the verdict isn’t unanimous, such a majority is required.

That was the case at the May 18 meeting of the New Brighton Borough, as a resolution to adopt a new contract for waste collection and recycling services was presented by councilman Robert Lizzi. A “yes” vote on the resolution would allow for the current contract with Valley Waste Management to expire in favor of a new contract with Aiken Refuse of Ellwood City, with new multi-day collection services beginning on July 23, 2023.

Board vice president John Ramer–filling in for the absent Robert Hartwick–opposed the resolution, feeling that the slight increase in money saved for the consumer did not outweigh the potential burnout that borough employees might feel having to collect waste for four days a week. “I personally am not in favor of changes or having more work for th borough employees,” Ramer stated. “I understand we try and save the people money, and I have no problem with Aiken…but I also don’t have any problem with Valley.”

Another opponent to the resolution was councilwoman Valerie McElvy, who cited potential problems with citizens taking advantage of multiple days of operation. “I feel that we’re going to be, in the long run, dissatisfied with the look and feel of the town with four days of garbage pickup,” she said. “I think people are going to abuse it.”

However, Lizzi pointed out that the main reason for the change in service provider is that the borough and Valley Waste mutually agreed to not renew the contract; the reasons for which were explained by Joe McWilliams, the General Manager for Valley Waste Management.

“To be quite honest,” McWilliams stated, “with the prices you were paying for the service you were getting for the last two years, we were actually losing money–due to the rising cost of everything–picking up New Brighton.” McWilliams also pointed out that “unlimited service” is dying out and that costs for the act of dumping trash have doubled.

Additionally, councilman Donald Mittner stated that potential fears of abusing the new multi-day system could (and should) be handled with personal responsibility and accountability.

“The fact is that if they’re putting garbage out on Monday when it’s Thursday, they should be issued a warning the first time and they should be fined the second time,” Mittner said. “It may take a few months to change that, to get people to adhere to a four-day if that’s the route we’re gonna go, but people have to become responsible. We can’t sit here and worry about what people are going to do; we have to worry about making the right choice for our town.”

The vote passed 6-2, with Ramer and McElvy dissenting. Representatives from Aiken and Valley were both present, and no hard feelings were held by McWilliams. “We will finish the contract strong and make sure that you guys are taken care of,” he concluded.

All other motions were passed unanimously and without dissent, including the allotment of $150,000 in ARPA grant money to fund projects to improve three New Brighton playgrounds: the Hunky Alley playground, the Oak Hill Playground, and the playground located at New Brighton Middle School. The New Brighton Recreation Commission will be overseeing those projects with that funding, along with a $10,000 donation to Everest Events Group for sponsorship of the “Fire & Ice” event taking place in December.

ARPA grant funding was also allotted to the New Brighton Business District Authority to improve the downtown area at a total of $145,000. Improvements include painting of utility poles for the Central Business District and mini-grants for signage. The New Brighton Police Department will also be receiving ARPA funding through expenditures of up to $75,000 in funding. The borough paid their monthly bills in the amount of $363,572.26.

The next New Brighton Borough Council meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 PM.