A much-ballyhooed new three-year contract between OPA and BFI Waste Services, LLC (aka Republic Services) for trash collection services looks to be headed for a trainwreck. The contract, signed by OPA president Rick Farr, took effect on January 1, 2024. The contract states: "The term of the Agreement shall commence on the first day of January 2024 and continue thereafter for a term of three (3) years therefrom and shall expire on December 31, 2027, unless sooner terminated as herein provided." (Note: the December 2027 date seems off)

Republic recently began delivering new gigantic trash cans to OPA customers. They are larger than needed by the Paul Bunyan family of 12. Association member Donald Gold first brought this to the attention of OceanPinesForum.com. Gold wrote, "Many of the residences in The Parke have small one-car garages that cannot accommodate a car and the new containers. If the Republic contract was modified to allow this change, the decision should be re-visited with the needs of a substantial number of association members in mind."

Gold was right on target with his "if."

The copy of the contract signed by Farr makes no mention of requiring the use of Republic-supplied cans. The cans are so large they can probably hold two to three weeks of garbage for a two-person household that also uses recycling. The bulk and weight of a filled trash can may be more than many older association members can handle.

Association member Frank Philippi wrote, "I was shocked when I saw the size of the trash can Republic dropped off! Completely unnecessary for my household, and I am now unable to drive our car into the garage. Sitting outside isn't an option either. Not allowed in Colonial Village and the darn thing is too big to drag around our shrubs to set it on the side of the house. It's a lot bigger than the recycle can that we already have."

It should be noted that OPA Declarations of Restriction do not allow open storage of trash cans at the front of homes anywhere in Ocean Pines. These new gigantic cans will lead to many more such violations than the hundreds already visible throughout Ocean Pines and adding a cheap trailer-park atmosphere to our lovely community.

Association member Paul Boga wrote, "Just had Republic drop a bin in front of my house unannounced. They told me they are switching to one-man trucks and need to pick mechanically. Problem for me we live in a townhouse with a 1 car garage and a small parking pad. No room in the garage for their massive container and the parking pad is too small."

A call to Republic and a conversation with a sales representative named Kathy, confirmed the root of the issue. Kathy said that Republic was going to use new trucks with an automated trash can pickup and the driver would no longer leave the vehicle. Presumably, this is a corporate cost-cutting measure to reduce the labor workforce on the trucks.

Asked what would happen if a Republic customer in Ocean Pines continued to use a normal can, Kathy replied, "Their garbage will not be collected!"

A close reading of the actual contract reveals no wording stating the customer must use Republic-supplied cans, nor any mention of drivers never leaving the truck cab when collecting trash. Kathy's statement in that regard is interesting in that the contract requires Republic to "collect up to a maximum of four (4) bags of leaves and/or yard waste per collection."

How will these four bags be collected if the driver does not leave the truck? Will there also be a helper? If so, why can't the helper also handle a customer's normal trash can?

Kathy then went on to say that Republic had notified OPA of these collection changes and the mandatory use of Republic-supplied cans. Asked how a letter could change a contract, she said it was a change to the contract. OPA says there has been no change to the contract originally signed by Farr!

Compounding the entire issue is Republic apparently received a large number of complaints from owners in The Parke and may have negotiated some sort of separate deal for smaller cans. Word is that Republic has refused to offer any similar deal to all of OPA. Trash collection in OPA is controlled only by the OPA Board of Directors. It seems unfair and inappropriate for Republic to be negotiating seperately with any OPA sub-HOA or individual section.

The Board of Directors should immediately get OPA counsel Bruce Bright involved in this contract issue if it has not already done so.

The Ocean Pines Association just scheduled a town hall meeting with Republic Services for Friday, October, 18 at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse Meeting Room. The event will offer residents and homeowners an opportunity to ask questions directly to Republic personnel regarding their trash service.