AMY SZPARA

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Council voted Thursday to award Waste Management the $1.6 million-a-year contract for garbage collection in the parish. Waste Management will take over after the current contract with Fred Trosclair Garbage, Inc. expires July 1. The new contract is for five years. The parish is looking to go from manual garbage pickup to automated, which is cleaner and more efficient. Trosclair, which employs around 35 workers, did not bid on the project because his trucks do not have the automated system. The new system will include newer trucks that have mechanical arms which pick up trash bins and dump trash into the truck. Between Browning-Ferris Inc. and Waste Management, the solid waste committee recommended BFI in a 3-2 vote, going against the recommendation of administration that the contract be awarded to Waste Management. Waste Management promised to employ local workers if it met the qualifications and to provide dumpsters for trash drop-off. Company officials also said they would open an office locally. BFI promised that if it were awarded the contract, Trosclair Garbage, Inc. would be hired as a subcontractor. Before the council voted council members voiced their concerns and made pleas for the companies they were supporting. Councilman Dale Wolfe said both firms are good, but Waste Management would receive his vote for three reasons. “They will consider and employ the people of this parish. They will include the minorities. They will set up shop here,” he said. Councilman Allen St. Pierre argued, “We’re driving a nail in the local businessman. Trosclair has been working with us for 20 years. I want to keep Trosclair as a subcontractor for BFI.” “BFI is going to work with a local businessman in Reserve. My vote is strictly because it supports a local business,” said Councilman Jobe Boucvalt. Councilman Ranney Wilson added, “Mr. Trosclair is not going out of business. He is in business and will be in business regardless of who wins. He will have his commercial business. We’re not putting anyone out of business.” The council approved the contract with Waste Management in a 6-3 vote. Councilmen St. Pierre, Boucvalt and Cleveland Farlough voted against. BFI was offering $9.76 per month, and Waste Management bid $9.59 per month. A $2.54 disposal fee will be added to the collection services fee, making the total per month $12.13. The current cost per month is $10.46.