The Dorr Township Board T
uesday evening approved a new three-year contract for recycling services that includes a $25 per household annual surcharge for curbside pickup.
Bob’s Disposal Service handles the curbside recycling program and state statute allows an annual fee of $25 per household to pay for the service.
Ben Williams, director of the Allegan County Resource and Recovery program, said the fee also covers the ability for residents to use the Salem Township Transfer Station for large appliance disposal and for the electronic recycling program each spring in Wayland.
Williams said 19 townships in Allegan County participate in the program, but some municipalities have been operating in the red. For example, the City of Wayland picks up the tab itself for a shortfall of about $10,000.
Because the $25 annual surcharge that was started 25 years ago no longer seems to be able to handle the costs, there may be a proposal on the November 2016 ballot seeking an increase of $11 per year per household to regain solvency.
But this would not affect Dorr Township, which continues to operate in the black and has had a solid relationship with Bob’s Disposal.
“I don’t get near the number of complaints with Bob’s as I do other vendors,” Williams said.
Treasurer Jim Martin agreed, saying, “It seems there aren’t too many townships getting the service we are.”
Supervisor Jeff Miling, himself a satisfied customer, added, “I think it’s a great program and it’s been working well.”
