The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners made strides in implementing the township's recycling program by awarding a contract to a Statesville, N.C., company at its meeting Monday night.

The commissioners awarded a $390,633 contract with Toter Inc., who will provide 65-gallon two-wheeled carts to the 8,100 households in the township.

The motion passed in a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Gerard Palagonia dissenting.

The proposals for the project were received through the request for proposals process.

The recommendations for acceptance were reviewed, discussed and judged by the township staff to meet the specifications.

Commissioners in favor of the contract believe it represents the most economical response to the township's needs.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the administration will examine the collection system after it is implemented, particularly on concerns from seniors.

Some of the concerns include the 65-gallon cart may be too much for seniors.

Commissioner Phillips Armstrong questioned at the board's workshop if a 45-gallon cart is an option.

Hozza said not at this time.

Hozza said seniors would not have to roll out the cart each week if they feel there is not sufficient recycled materials to be picked up.

The mayor explained the containers can hold a substantial amount of materials because a single-stream recycling method is being implemented in which all types of recycling materials are commingled in one container.

The cost for the carts is covered by the savings in the township's garbage collection and recycling programs introduced this year.

The contract with Toter Inc. includes $323,919 for the containers, $34,425 for the assembly and distribution to residents. The remainder is for asset tracing portal system, programming of scanner per device, software fees, tags and hand-held scanners.

Township officials expect complaints when the containers are first in place, but other municipalites, such as Palmer Township, have accepted the innovation once residents are accustomed to it.