MONROE — The city’s garbage hauler, Madison-based Pellitteri Waste Systems, has been a good service provider for Monroe taxpayers, and officials are considering a contract extension with the firm instead of putting the garbage contract out for bid in the fall.

That’s the takeaway from last Monday’s Monroe Common Council Meeting, where officials discussed the city’s garbage and recycling service. The city’s contract with Pellitteri for refuse and recycling services expires in July 2025, officials said. Seeking an extension — rather than a formal request for proposals — will give the city time to take advantage of the services offered in its existing deal.

“Therefore, the City would have to consider going out for request for proposals for a new contract as soon as fall of 2024,” City Administrator wrote in a memo to the council, and presented at the June 3 meeting. “There is an opportunity to consider a contract extension with Pellitteri rather than going out for request for proposal. The advantages of this include a continued relationship with a trusting service provider that is familiar with our community and local to our area.”

While all the alders backed the proposed extension, it is likely going to take a future agenda item to finalize it, according to officials. The current contract runs from August 2018 to August 2025 — a seven-year contract. 

“We would likely consider an extension of another seven years, but that would be dependent on their official proposal and our agreed upon terms,” Rindy said in an email.

Rindy also said there is a chance for city residents to save some money, too: Currently the city is paying $10 per household along with fuel surcharges. She said that “a recent summary of proposals received from vendors for the City of Baraboo refuse collection in February 2024 demonstrates the average rate proposed for the first year of a contract is $15.48 per household for a five-year contract.”

Pellitteri serves over 40 municipalities in Wisconsin.

“Of the 40 municipal curbside residential contracts awarded since inception of their program, Pellitteri has a 100% renewal rate,” she added. 

Alder Mary Jane Grenzow said that while she is not dissatisfied with the contract or the idea of an extension with Pellitteri, she did want to know if early pickup times were causing any citizen complaints.

“They pick up my garbage at 6:30 in the morning, that I find, is very early, and I’m wondering if you are getting complaints,” she said.

But officials said the pickup time depends on routes and other variables and that the more common complaint is from citizens who are unhappy trash and recycling has not been picked up by 6:30 a.m. The current contract, according to Rindy, only prohibits them from starting pickup before 6 a.m.

Grenzow also asked city staff if there could be cheaper pricing for picking up bulky items, such as a couch or appliance.  

“That is definitely something we can look at … as part of the contract,” Rindy said.

Currently, residents must call or visit a web page to request a price quote for any bulk pickup.