PORT ALLEGANY – Burdick Disposal of Smethport will be Port
Allegany’s refuse hauler beginning Oct. 1, replacing SDS of Olean,
N.Y., which has been the hauler for about 10 years.

After about an hour of deliberation Monday evening, borough
council finally decided upon Burdick, whose bid was somewhat lower
than that of SDS or Troutman Sanitation, the other two bidders.

Burdick, who had not entered a bid the first time the matter was
advertised, proposes to charge residential customers $13.25 a
monthðfor an average of four bags a week.

Troutman had offered to do the same for $15.50 a month, and SDS
bid $15.75.

Several council members were obviously reluctant to change from
SDS, which they said had offered good service over the years.

Councilman Dave Fair moved to accept Burdick’s offer, saying
that council was “obligated” to go with the one that would cost
residents less. He also commented that he hoped others would not
vote the opposite way just because he had made the motion.

Bill Burleson seconded the motion, and a voice vote was unclear;
both Fair and Troutman asked for a roll call.

In that vote Lynn Farber originally said “I don’t know,” but
after others had voted came in with “aye.”

Judy Taylor voted “nay” but the rest of the board were in
favor.

Discussion had centered around SDS’ years of good service, but
there was also concern that both Burdick and Troutman offered an
option of paying by the bag rather than a monthly fee.

Burdick offered stickers at $3 a bag and Troutman at $2; both
said that customers could choose which way to pay.

Troutman also noted the stickers were handy for people who might
want to put out more than four bags, and that they could be
cost-saving for the elderly and others who might put out only one
bag.

Mayor Joe DeMott expressed concern about the sticker system,
saying it might encourage people to save money by dumping trash
over the hill.

Others pointed out that some people, those who generate more
trash, would pay less with the set fee.

That contention was opposed by Burleson, who said he hated to
tell people they had to pay more “because we don’t trust them.”

In the end, Fair amended his motion to eliminate the sticker
system, and residents will not get that option.

Farber, who said her household generates more than four bags of
trash a week, questioned Burdick and Troutman on how they handle
customers who go beyond the limit.

Both said they overlook occasional extra bags, but will charge
or refuse to pick up the extra bags if the practice becomes
regular.

After the trash issue was settled, council went into executive
session to confer with Solicitor Michael Alfieri on matters
concerningða lawsuit filed in federal court by Bill Burleson over
the borough’s refusal to grant him permission to develop his Benton
Place project on North Main Street.

While the borough finally issued the building permit after
ordered to do so by the McKean County Court, Burleson is asking for
payment for what he says the delay has cost him and his wife.