Spaniard’s Bay renews contract with private garbage collector

While most towns task the Eastern Regional Service Board (ERSB) with garbage collection, the Town of Spaniard’s Bay earlier this month once again contracted a private company to collect its residents’ garbage.

“We conducted an open call for bids to provide domestic garbage collection and residential garbage collection and disposal, and that call for bids closed on March 31,” said Town Manager Tony Ryan during the April 3 public meeting. “One bid only was received, in the amount of $220,800 per year, inclusive of HST and tipping fees.”

That lone bidder was Lynch’s Trucking Enterprises Ltd., the same company currently contracted to collect the garbage.

Ryan said the fee works out to about $18,000 per month, beginning May 2023, and the contract is good for three years.

He then asked council to adopt the contract.

Councillor Darlene Stamp asked whether the price was much different than what the Town had previously been paying, and Ryan admitted the new quote is approximately $2,000 more per month than what council is currently paying.

Mayor Paul Brazil noted that ERSB charges $200 per household while Lynch’s, even accounting for the price increase, was only charging $192 per household.

“So, it’s $8 per household less than the services provided by the Eastern Regional Service Board,” said Ryan.

Councillor Paul Ryan moved and councillor Sherry Lundrigan seconded the motion that was approved unanimously.

“This is the same provider that we already have, so we’re quite familiar with the service,” said Brazil.

Lynch’s was first contracted by council for garbage collection four years ago.