Moorestown Seeks 'Significant' Savings Through Outsourcing

Moorestown hopes to save a significant amount of money by potentially outsourcing trash collection, part of an ongoing effort to find cost-effective ways of providing township services.

The township announced last week it would advertise for bids from private trash haulers. Deputy Mayor Chris Chiacchio said Moorestown presently runs seven or eight trash trucks, with several public works employees dedicated primarily to curbside trash collection.

The garbage is hauled from Moorestown to a landfill in the Chesterfield/Bordentown area. While it works, it may not be the most economic way of doing things, Chiacchio said.

"We lose money on taking half-full trucks," the deputy mayor explained. "It's gas. It's time. There's a more efficient way of doing it. There may be significant cost savings."

Once the township gets the bids back—they're due Nov. 14—it can evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of outsourcing, which Chiacchio acknowledged could involve letting some employees go. On the other hand, he said, it's possible that township employees could be folded into the new company.

"While it's always difficult to lay people off, we have to look at the bigger picture," he said. "I'm very optimistic it's going to save the township, and the taxpayers, money, which is critical."

According to a release from the township, Chiacchio and Mayor Stacey Jordan are working with township manager Scott Carew to find more significant cost-saving opportunities, with a goal of cutting $1 million from this year's budget.

“Some of the things we are looking at may work and some may not, but the key is to completely evaluate everything we do so we can determine whether any improvements (in the best interest of the taxpayers) should be made," said Jordan.

What do you think? Do you support the township's decision to seek outsourcing of its trash pickup? Share your opinion in the comments below.