Trash hauler sues Sharon Springs after losing out on village contract

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

A local trash hauler is suing the village of Sharon Springs after beating his competition on a hauling bid but losing out on the contract.

Randy Weaver of Palatine Bridge-based Weaver’s Sanitation alleges in court papers that his bid of $36,000 to haul residential municipal waste from the village should have prevailed over a bid of $36,600 offered by Fred’s Sanitation Services of Charleston, Montgomery County.

According to a complaint filed in state Supreme Court by Weaver’s attorney Meghan Manion, the village reviewed bids April 1 and, despite Weaver’s lowest bid, awarded the two-year contract to Fred’s Sanitation.

Weaver in court documents alleges the award violates state law requiring municipal contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder and asks that the contract be nullified.

The waste contract is scheduled to run from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2015.

In a letter to Weaver dated April 19, the village cites finances as the reason for rejecting the lowest bid.

“Though your bid was lower by $600, the Village Board has evaluated our historical relationship with Fred’s Sanitation and has accepted their bid of $36,000. The Board felt it was important to note that Fred’s has not increased their cost for services for the last six years,” the letter states.

Three years before, according to papers submitted in the case, the village rejected a bid by Weaver Sanitation in favor of a bid by Fred’s Sanitation in the amount of $36,600.

The state’s General Municipal Law requires municipalities to award contracts for work exceeding $35,000 to the “lowest responsible bidder.”

The complaint filed on behalf of Weaver notes the company complied with other parameters of the law.

Manion did not return messages seeking comment and Sharon Springs Mayor Omer Cousineau would not comment, according to the village clerk.