Eighteen cents doesn’t buy much anymore, but Waste Management Inc. learned 18 cents can be a lot of money.

At the Oct. 3 Bath Borough Council meeting, a vote was taken to accept the lowest bid for the next three years of sanitation and recycling in Bath. The two principal haulers who bid were Waste Management Inc. and J.P. Mascaro & Sons.

Near the close of the meeting, a representative from Waste Management Inc. arrived. J.P. Mascaro & Sons had no representative present.

The Waste Management Inc. representative asked council President Mark Saginario if his company was awarded the bid. Saginario shook his head and informed that J.P. Mascaro & Sons won the award. J.P. Mascaro & Sons was 18 cents per household below Waste Management Inc.’s bid.

“Eighteen cents?” the representative asked.

Saginario said, “Yes. We already voted. It is a done deal.”

The contract is in excess of $220,000.

The bids were $241.80 by J.P. Mascaro & Sons and $241.98 by Waste Management Inc.

The borough administration fee that will be added by council is to be decided later.

The sanitation cost for households are expected to be about $300.

There was much council expressed in trepidation choosing J.P. Mascaro & Sons. It was emphasized if there are any problems with the hauler, they must be reported and documented. Council clearly expressed they want the hauler to provide quality timely service to Bath, or council will take action.

Solicitor Blake Marles said, “Residents will be provided free 96-gallon tote cans, and recycling collection will increase. It’s a pretty good deal.”

In Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito’s report, she thanked council Vice President Michele Ehrgott for her effort spearheading a basket raffle for the fire department. It raised $5,076. Ehrgott thanked all who helped make the event a success.

Fire Chief Emilio DeNisi reported the fire department received a grant for $20,000 for the purchase of radios and other equipment. He also reported fire department personnel will be patrolling the streets and helping with traffic control during trick-or-treat night.

In September, there were 17 fire calls and 46 EMS calls, he reported.

“The Bethlehem Township Ambulance Corps is off to a good start,” DeNisi said.

“There is good leadership and increased dedication at the fire hall,” Saginario said.

There are beginning discussions to purchase the Thirst Quencher building to possibly relocate the municipal offices. The current municipal building could be sold. Borough Manager Bradley Flynn reported a price to renovate the current municipal building came in at about $4.5 million, and the construction of a new municipal building would be about $5 million.

“There are a lot more details to come,” Saginario said.

Despite much fanfare at the beginning of 2016 about the development of Paw Park, the project has not gone to the dogs. It is on hold until 2017 due to many items and issues council has tackled during 2016.

In other business, the mixed-use, noise and dumpster ordinances were tabled.

Council went into executive session to discuss employment and solicitor consultancy issues.