Tamaqua Transfer company renewed two garbage contracts and picked up a third during bid rounds this month in the Weatherly area.

In Lausanne Township at their October meeting, supervisors voted to accept a two-year contract from Tamaqua Transfer in the hopes that inflation might ease by then. Their other option was a three-year contract.

At Lehigh Township’s meeting, Larry Wittig of Tamaqua Transfer hand-delivered his company’s bid for garbage collection. It was the only bid received. After discussion, supervisors approved a five-year contract, without recycling.

“I did the best I could,” Wittig said, noting the effect of a $2/ton increase in tipping fees at the landfill, higher wages, and increased fuel costs.

He also said he never missed a week, even through the pandemic. Asked about recycling, he said it costs them three times as much to get rid of recycling as it does garbage. Entire loads are rejected if materials are not cleaned out properly.

Weatherly Council’s decision to re-bid its garbage contract was rewarded by the return of Tamaqua Transfer to bidding, offering the low bid for a five-year contract at $1,545,000 when bids were opened at Council’s meeting on Oct. 24. Tamaqua Transfer only offered a price on a five-year contract. After a discussion about committing to a long-term contract, Council voted unanimously to accept Tamaqua Transfer’s five-year price.

Wittig was present at Weatherly’s meeting. He spoke to council after the vote, thanking them. He added that he’ll be driving a truck, when needed, and said that when something goes wrong, “we make it right.” He finished by adding, “I won’t disappoint you.”

County Waste/GFI is the current contractor in Weatherly. Tamaqua Transfer served Weatherly borough most recently six years ago.