East Deer replaces garbage hauler in deal that will save township $80K

East Deer has replaced the company that has been its garbage hauler for about a decade in a move that will save the township nearly $80,000 over four years.

Commissioners voted to hire Bankosh Sanitation of Loyalhanna Township, one of two companies that bid for the East Deer contract running from 2021 through 2024. The other bidder, Vogel Disposal Service of Adams in Butler County, has been the township’s garbage hauler for roughly 10 years.

“They seem to be very reputable,” Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said of Bankosh. “Everybody that they’re currently working for (says) they’re doing a great job.”

The bid from Bankosh totaled $120,000 for the first year of the contract, $122,500 for the second year, $125,000 for the third year and $128,000 for the fourth year, totaling $495,500 for all four years.

Vogel’s bid was $136,329 for one year, $277,488 for two years, $420,577 for three years and $574,857 for all four years.

Commissioners opened the bids in September, but held off on awarding a contract until this month so the township could review the proposals and research Bankosh.

Township Secretary Chrystal Carmen said she received positive reviews from other municipalities that use Bankosh, including West Leechburg, Hyde Park and Saltsburg.

“They’ve never missed anybody’s garbage anywhere. The one time they did miss one bag they were there within a half hour and picked it up,” Carmen said.

The company’s owner, Jeff Bankosh, didn’t return a message seeking comment.

East Deer residents currently pay $15.50 a month for unlimited garbage collection, which includes one large item such as a washer or dryer on the first collection day of the month. Pickup has been on Wednesdays.

Taliani said Bankosh will maintain those services, but the pickup day will change to Fridays because the company picks up garbage in another community on Wednesdays.

“I don’t think that would be a problem,” Taliani.

Bankosh will start picking up garbage in East Deer on Jan. 8, Taliani said. The last pickup day for Vogel will be Dec. 30.

There will be no change to the garbage rate next year.

“We haven’t done our budget yet completely but there will be no increase this (upcoming) year. It will stay at $15.50,” Taliani said. “Now going forward, there probably will be. But not until the earliest in the second year, possibly not until the third year.”

Bankosh also will provide two dumpsters free of charge, one at the municipal building and the other at East Deer Memorial Park. Those dumpsters aren’t for public use.