Township Recycling Program Continues Despite Investigation

Matthew Hersh

Despite a recent federal investigation into the waste-management company that collects recycling in Princeton Township, the town's recycling schedule for 2004 will continue without a hitch, according to Township Recycling Coordinator Janet Pellechero.

The pickup program that was once subcontracted to Central Jersey Waste and Recycling by the Mercer County Improvement Authority is in limbo, Ms. Pellechero said. However, MCIA will carry out all recycling pickup under a court order until the arrival of a deal with a new subcontractor, she said.

"We shouldn't lose any services," Ms. Pellechero said. "Monday's [recycling] pickup will be the sure sign, but the MCIA assured us there will be no difference."

Central Jersey Waste and Recycling was the subcontractor that handled the recycling pickup of the Township, Princeton Borough, Ewing Township, Hopewell Borough and Township, and Pennington Borough. However, the company's former president, James Lambert, has been the subject of an investigation conducted by the FBI regarding allegations of bid-rigging and trading contracts held by all municipalities in Mercer County. Mr. Lambert is also the former executive director of MCIA.

Under the new recycling program, there will be a new hauler beginning in February when the new contract is completed, and MCIA's subcontractor will realign pickup zones in mapping out more efficient routes.

"I don't think residents will notice a thing, unless, of course, it gets better," Ms. Pellechero quipped.

Ms. Pellechero added that the standard contract with MCIA is renewed every year in December and that enlisting in the county-wide program is "far more cost-effective" for the Township than creating a municipal recycling authority.

For the Township, the cost of the 2004 recycling program is subject to increase to $201,000, up from $188,000 for the 2003 recycling program. The cost represents an average of $1.50 per pickup per household.