Community

Weirton to consider new municipal waste contract

WEIRTON - Weirton Council will be asked to consider a new contract for the disposal of municipal waste and recycling during its upcoming meeting.

Among items discussed, and recommended, during Friday’s meeting of the city Finance Committee was a contract for the city’s garbage disposal, with a proposal for the city to use the Brooke County Landfill, operated by Valero Terrestrial Corp.

City Manager Mike Adams noted the most recent contract, also with Valero, had a four-year term with assessments of $40 per ton of garbage for the first two years and $42 per ton for the second two years, with a charge of $85 per ton for recycling.

The initial proposal under a new contract, he explained, would have cost the city $45.50 per ton for the first two years, and $48 per ton for the second two years, as well as $93 per ton of recycling; however, Adams said Valero later adjusted its rate proposal to establish an agreement for $43.50 per ton for the first year, $45.50 for the second year, $47 for the third year, and $48 for the fourth year, along with a rate of $90 per ton for recycling.

Adams explained Public Works Director Allen Hess had reviewed three proposals for the contract, incorporating the potential costs of manpower, fuel costs and vehicle maintenance costs when determining his recommendation to go with Valero.

"You have to apply their analysis," Adams said.

Hess noted the city had received proposals from landfills in Imperial, Pa., and near Short Creek in northern Ohio County.

Imperial Landfill offered garbage rates of $38 per ton for the first year, $39.90 for the second year, $41.90 for the third year, and $43.99 for the fourth year, with a recycling rate of $120 per ton.

Short Creek, meanwhile, offered a one-year rate of $31.50 per ton of garbage. No rate for recycling was included for Short Creek.

Hess, though, explained the costs for Imperial and Short Creek would be higher when factoring in the time it would take to transport loads to those landfills, as well as the manpower and maintenance rates.

Members of the Finance Committee agreed.

"The real savings comes in man hours and fuel," Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead said.

The Finance Committee also recommended approval of the city’s agreement with the Hancock County Board of Education for city police officers to serve as Prevention Resource Officers at three schools in the city for the 2026-2027 school year.

Both will be part of Weirton’s Council’s agenda for its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)