Clinton Township approves transfer to Priority Waste

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — While there was apprehension about approving the transfer of trash collection services from GFL Environmental to Priority Waste, there wasn’t much the Clinton Township Board of Trustees could do about it.

At its June 24 meeting, the board unanimously approved the transfer.

While the township had the option to opt out of the transition, it’s unclear what would’ve been an alternative. Clinton Township Attorney Jack Dolan said Priority Waste was the only company that could reasonably fulfill the needs of the contract.

“It’s my recommendation that we hold our nose, so to speak, and accept the assignment and try to move on in a positive way,” Dolan said. “Hopefully services will improve.”

Dolan mentioned that if the township gives 120 days’ notice, per the terms of their agreement, they can move on to another contract. This is part of the current contract that Priority Waste will inherit from GFL, which is in effect until March of 2026.

“As we move along, we can utilize that provision in the contract to seek out another vendor, if that would be appropriate,” Dolan said.

The board said they had constituents who complained about spotty service from GFL in recent weeks during the transition. Even many members on the board said their garbage wasn’t picked up on time.

“Through the years, GFL has done a great job in Clinton Township,” Supervisor Bob Cannon said. “The last several weeks, it’s been very poor. I think all of us on the board know that. I think all of our staff knows that.”

Trustee Mike Keys said he was disappointed by the lack of alternatives available, though sticking with Priority Waste was the smartest choice in this instance.

“It’s always important to go out for a competitive bid process,” Keys said.

A May 29 letter informing GFL employees of the sale of the company’s residential assets was leaked on social media.

“It is very unfortunate that Township officials learned of the sale from social media post, rather than from our contracted service provider,” said Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem in a press release following the leak. “This failure to officially communicate with their community partners casts a cloud of doubt over both companies, and their commitment to providing the good faith public services to our residents.”

“I was extremely upset I learned about this through a Facebook post,” Trustee Julie Matuzak said. “We weren’t notified. We didn’t know.”

Priority Waste Vice President of Municipal Sales Dan Venet was on hand to answer any questions from board members. He highlighted the company’s responsive customer service and its technology. Venet said it relies on cameras, in part, for much of its oversight.

“Our priority integrated technology center allows us to digitally watch all of our trucks that are on the road through our camera systems and GPS,” Venet said. “We use that in combination with in-field supervision as needed.”

Board members, while critical of GFL and the transition rollout, mostly praised Priority Waste.

“I have been to your Hall Road center. It is pretty remarkable,” Trustee Dan Kress said. “About 100 screens on the wall and very courteous and very enthusiastic employees that seem to love their job. So you’re doing something right.”

Venet also confirmed that no former workers from GFL have started with Priority Waste during the last days of the current assignment. He said this is set to happen after the transition.

Cannon asked if adjusting the contract was possible.

Venet said he couldn’t authorize that, but said the company would come back to the table when the contract is up to discuss options.

“This contract is not ours, it’s GFL’s,” Venet explained. “It’s not, in our legal opinion, able to be negotiated.”

“I’m disappointed,” Cannon said. “That’s the first time I’ve been disappointed in your company. I think you’re doing this board and this community a disservice. You’ve got all the cards, there’s no other company that can do it.”

The scope of the acquisition is vast.

“This sale encompasses assets and collection operations within Oakland, Washtenaw, Livingston, Macomb, Genesee, and Wayne Counties,” John Addison, GFL General Manager for Wayne, stated in a letter to employees. “It includes the transfer of contracts with 75 municipal customers as well as 70,000 homeowner’s associations and subscription residential customers.”

For its part, Priority Waste has assured residents in the many communities where it has assumed contracts that service will remain the same.

“The way that the service is provided today is the way the service will be provided with us July 1,” Venet said.