NorthJersey.com – October 23, 2023:
Partner Mary Anne Groh Prevails in $25 Million Paterson Garbage Hauling Lawsuit
Article originally published October 23, 2023 on northjersey.com
A judge last week ruled in Paterson’s favor in a legal battle over the city’s decision to award a $25 million garbage collection contract to a new company, Filco Carting from Brooklyn.
State Superior Court Assignment Judge Rudolph Filko on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit by Suburban Disposal, which was trying to hold on to a city trash contract it had for 17 years. Filko also ruled Friday that Paterson could go ahead and switch vendors even while Suburban is appealing his decision in higher courts.
What did officials say?
“This is a big win for the taxpayers of Paterson,” said Mayor Andre Sayegh. “It represents a significant cost saving.”
Suburban’s bid for the five-year garbage collection contract was $35 million, or 40% higher than Filco’s price.
What did the lawsuit say?
Suburban’s lawsuit said Filco’s bid was deficient because of an allegedly insufficient performance bond and incomplete or inaccurate answers on a vendor questionnaire. But the judge decided none of those claims was strong enough to overturn the city decision awarding the bid to Filco.
Filco originally was supposed to start collecting Paterson’s trash on Oct. 1. But the courts ordered that the change in vendors be put on hold after Suburban filed its lawsuit in mid-September. Paterson and Suburban then reached a deal extending that company’s contract until the end of this year.
Filco will begin handling Paterson’s garbage pickups in January, officials said.
Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com