Niles officials push back trash plan vote

NILES, Mich - The Niles City Council postponed a vote on a proposal that caught the attention of many in the community.

The agenda for the Niles City Council called for a vote on the “consideration of accepting the bid from Reliable Disposal.”

That item on the agenda brought out approximately 100 residents to voice their concern.

“It’s a national company and it’s actually gonna charge me more if I want to do things in a manner that is environmentally friendly” Trina Bailey of Niles said.

Points of the proposal that drew the ire of many are the separation in pick-up and billing of trash and recycling.

Many residents currently pay $16 for trash and recycling pick-up whereas the proposal could increase the combined trash and recycling bill to $24 per month.

Niles City Council member Gretchen Bertschy says this is not the only planned proposal, and the city is reviewing multiple offers.

“They are not the only bidder, certainly not the only company with a presence here in the city of Niles. We are really blessed with a lot of fine companies that want to do business in our city” Bertschy said.

After some debate the City Council agreed to push the vote back “indefinitely.”

City Administrators say a vote on the proposal will likely happen before the end of 2018.