NILES — Garbage contracts were under review Thursday night in the town of Niles as the board discussed bids from two haulers that could almost double residents’ costs.

Bids were opened Sept. 25, with the low bid being Casella’s offer of $171,600 plus a 17 percent fuel surcharge, amounting to $200,000 total.

Feher’s offer was $192,825 or $212,107.50. Two other haulers were contacted but Morgan Waste and Waste Management declined to bid.

The cost of waste removal this year for each resident was $2.88 per week. If either bid is accepted, it would increase to $5 per week.

Board members were interested in clarification of how each hauler would handle service on firelanes and garbage days. Two roads in particular, Appletree and Plunckey Point have had past problems with Casella’s pickup.

The board decided to meet with bidders, preferably before the next town board meeting to get a more detailed explanation of what services they would provide. The board would like them to make a presentation to the public.

If the town decides not to award a contract for waste removal, it could take over garbage collection itself, buying or renting a packer (garbage truck), but would have to hire a driver on a full-time or part-time basis, provide fuel, and pay tipping fees at the landfill. Town councilor Alberta Darlene Winters said her estimated calculations still brought the cost up to a comparable total as those bid.

Another alternative would be to let the residents privately contract for trash disposal.

“Casella’s said they’ve been losing money on Niles for years,” Rickey Slagle, town supervisor, said.

Niles generates 624 tons of waste per year. At a charge of $200,000, it would cost $32 per ton.

Town attorney Andrew Fusco told the board it had a greater problem than some limited pickup.

“You’re going to double people’s garbage tax,” he said. “The sticker shock is going to be enormous. Bring them in at the next regular board meeting. Let’s get the public here to get them educated.”

He said anyone who wants to sit in should be able to ask questions.

“Why these things are more than doubled is a question they are going to ask,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to also hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at their next regular meeting, Nov. 6.

In other news:

• The board voted unanimously to become a member of the New York State Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance Plan offered by the county. The move will save the town $20,000 for the year.

• At the suggestion of town assessor Dan Stanford, the town board unanimously resolved to create a “Cold War Veterans Exemption” on the town tax of 15 percent. This would be a tax break for veterans who served in undeclared wars from the Vietnam War through the first Gulf War, roughly 1972-1991. The town hopes to set an example for the rest of the county.

• The Vehicle Maintenance Facility update shows site work in progress with excavation and foundation complete. Temporary power is connected, and the office slab is scheduled to be poured on Oct. 9.

Building materials will be delivered Oct. 13 and the building is expected to go up Oct. 20. The town hoped to have underground power lines installed, but the cost is more than $17,000, so it is looking at putting up poles at $1,500 per pole. They would have to get an easement for ground wire from property owners across from the project. Fuel oil is also still an issue. How big of a fuel tank and where it would be located have to be decided.

• The town also unanimously decided to allow the town supervisor to sign a union agreement with the Teamsters for a three-year contract.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net