(Photo illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission recommended “further investigation” of Parkersburg’s plan to contract out its sanitation service, but the city attorney says that won’t delay implementation of an agreement with Waste Management.
“The city has clear legal authority to enter into contracts to provide essential services such as solid waste disposal,” City Attorney Blaine Myers said Thursday.
In a memo posted Wednesday to the PSC’s website, staff attorneys say services related to the collection and disposal of garbage are under the agency’s jurisdiction and state code “requires the Commission’s consent and approval prior to entering into contracts.” They note vehicles owned and operated by a municipality are exempt from regulation but that only applies if the municipality’s vehicles are used to provide the service.
Parkersburg City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a five-year contract with Waste Management to provide trash collection services on a pair of 6-3 votes this month. Property owner Carole Hanlon in December asked the PSC and other state agencies to review the city’s actions and hold public hearings on the matter.
“Staff recommends further investigation to determine compliance with applicable statutes and Commission regulations,” the memo says.
It mentions Hanlon’s request for a hearing but does not mention whether one will be held or a timeline for the investigation.
Myers said Thursday the city is doing something many other municipalities in West Virginia have done.
“The implementation of the contract with Waste Management will not be impaired or delayed by any review by the Public Service Commission,” he said.
The memo also says any intrastate carrier contracting with the city must submit its contract to the commission for approval. Interstate carriers need to register as “a Harper carrier,” which is a federal designation, as the PSC does not regulate interstate commerce.
Council has held two special meetings this month regarding proposals to contract out both solid waste and recycling services. Most speakers at the Jan. 6 public hearing opposed the Waste Management contract. Council approved the first reading of that ordinance in a second meeting that night but tabled a proposed contract for subscription-based recycling service with Rumpke.
On Tuesday, council held a special meeting focused on recycling, during which council President Andrew Borkowski announced a proposal to reduce the monthly charge for those who wanted to participate in curbside recycling from $15.35 to $3.50, while adding a $1.50 recycling surcharge to all residents’ sanitation fees. Many speakers argued the cost should be borne by all residents as recycling is a beneficial public service.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Parkersburg resident Trish Pritchard asked about the status of Hanlon’s petition to the PSC. At that point, before the release of the memo, Myers said he was not aware of any action the agency had taken beyond assigning a case number.
The PSC site lists more than 50 letters or messages submitted in relation to the case, with only one saying it was in favor of the new service. Among those submitting messages online was Councilman Chris Rexroad, who voted against the Waste Management contract ordinance.
“An overwhelming majority of the residents of Parkersburg do not support the privatization of the city sanitation services,” his message said.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com
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Filings in the Public Service Commission case regarding Parkersburg sanitation can be viewed online at https://tinyurl.com/harpe885. The case number is 25-0999-MC-P.