Woolwich selectmen will try to extend their curbside trash and recycling contract with Riverside Disposal from one to three years. The board’s action followed a special meeting with the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee Monday afternoon.

David King Sr., select board chairman, explained the meeting was called after the town office learned Riverside Disposal was unable to make a one-year deal with Ecomaine. Ecomaine is a non-profit waste management company based in Portland and is where Riverside Disposal brings its trash and recyclables.

Woolwich selectmen awarded Riverside Disposal the town’s solid waste contract on March 7. The Chelsea-based company submitted the lower of two bids for a one-year contract that includes curbside trash and recycling pickup. The other bidder was Pine Tree Waste, Inc. (Casella Waste Systems, Inc.), the town’s present waste hauler. The three-year contract with Pine Tree Waste ends this spring.

Riverside Disposal’s bid included $92,799 for weekly curbside pickup, with a tipping fee of $57.85 per ton, and $31,542 for recycling pickup. Pine Tree Waste submitted a bid of $93,699 for weekly curbside pickup, with a tipping fee of $75 per ton and $37,648 for recycling pickup. Pine Tree’s bid included a $28 per ton charge for processing recycling pickup. Riverside Disposal didn’t include a fixed charge for recycling indicating the amount could run from $23.41 to $35 per ton due to volatility within the recycling market. The town doesn’t currently pay a tipping fee for recycling processing.

King told the solid waste and recycling committee, selectmen could try and negotiate a three-year deal with Riverside Disposal or re-bid the contract. The bid proposal allows selectmen to enter into negotiations with the successful bidder to modify the final contract “to reflect any changes found to be appropriate.”

Selectman Allyson Hepler questioned whether it was fair to negotiate with just one of the bidders.

It would be difficult to rebid the contract, added King, because it would likely involve the same two bidders. “The low bidder has already tipped his hand,” he said.

Jonathan Appleyard, chairman of the solid waste and recycling committee, said the townspeople had been happy with the service Pine Tree Waste had provided. “We don’t know a lot about Riverside Disposal,” he commented.

fellow committee member Don Adams said he’d had past dealings with Riverside Disposal. “I’ve never had a problem working with them,” he said.

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw said if selectmen could negotiate a three-year contract and save money, it was worth making the effort. “I’d say give them a try.” Shaw added Riverside Disposal would be using smaller trucks than Pine Tree Waste resulting in less wear and tear to town roads. “That saves money, too,” he said.

Selectmen voted unanimously to meet with Riverside Disposal next Monday, March 21, prior to their regular meeting at 6 p.m. Ultimately voters will be asked to fund the contract at this year’s annual town meeting.