No change in garbage fee for New Kensington residents after big hike this year

It won’t cost any more to throw out the trash in New Kensington next year.

After a hefty increase for 2024, the annual fee for solid waste, leaf and branch collection and recycling will be unchanged for 2025.

City Council on Monday voted 4-0 to approve the second year of a five-year contract with Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, which operates County Hauling. Councilman Corey Pistininzi was absent.

While the city’s cost increased, from $2.7 million to about $2.8 million, residents will continue to pay $540 per year, or $135 per quarter.

The quarterly cost breaks down to $105 for solid, household hazardous and electronic waste and $30 for recycling.

The five-year contract, which started this year, carries a total cost of $15.3 million for the city.

The first year brought a 73% increase for residential bills, which jumped from about $313 annually and $78 per quarter. It also changed garbage collection from Fridays for the entire city to four days a week.

The price spike caused several residents to suggest a year ago that New Kensington explore collecting its own garbage. The city still is trying to determine whether that would be a viable option and has not made a decision, Mayor Tom Guzzo said.

City officials still are gathering facts, Guzzo said, including determining the costs of the required personnel and equipment and how that compares to what the city is paying now.

Public works contract approved

New Kensington’s public works employees will start the new year with a new work agreement.

City Council on Monday approved a four-year agreement with USW Local 1324, which represents the city’s 11 public works employees. It will begin on Jan. 1 and run through Dec. 31, 2028.

The contract provides annual pay increases of 2.25% in 2025 and 2026 and 2.5% in 2027 and 2028.

Under the new agreement, revisions include that employees in the bargaining unit may voluntarily become members of the union or decline membership.

The city can change the regular work schedule, such as implementing summer hours of 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with 48 hours of notice.

Employees whose employment is ended between Jan. 1 and March 31, except for those discharged for cause, will receive full vacation for the year.

Employees will receive $30,000 of life insurance. Upon retirement, each employee will get a $5,000 paid-up life insurance policy.

Each year, the city will provide $450 to reimburse employees for items required for their approved uniform, including work boots.