Start thinking Waste Away instead of Waste Management if you live in the village.
Lake Orion officials are close to signing a contract with Waste Away for the village’s disposal services. The company is out of Ortonville.
Waste Away came in as low bidder after nine different companies were asked to submit a proposal. Four responded.
Waste Management currently charges $12,615 monthly. For the next year, it would cost the village $9,540 a month to use Waste Away. In Waste Management’s new proposal, the company was asking for $12,994.
Using the services of Waste Away will save residents in the village $8 a quarter on their trash charges.
Waste Management has been taking care of the village’s trash and garbage for 10 years.
‘These guys go above and beyond,? councilman Ken Van Portfliet said of Waste Management. ‘No residents have complained.?
Councilman Doug Dendel said he was happy with the services of Waste Management, but the village’s charter requires the lowest competent bid be accepted.
According to owner Matt McKay, Waste Away has 10,000 customers, primarily in North Oakland County. It’s been serving Ortonville for 13 years.
Council members decided they would need to see some references provided to the village before giving the OK on a new contract.
McKay said he would have no problem giving the village any information needed.
A representative from Waste Management was at the council meeting and told councilmen the company would continue to provide services to the village until a new contract is signed. Its contract with the village expires on June 30.
Although Waste Away’s proposal is for the next five years, the village has included language that indicates a contract for the years beginning July 1, 2006 is dependent upon the service provided in the first year (July 1, 2005-July 1, 2006).