Jim Thorpe borough has locked in its municipal waste hauler for the next five years.

Council has unanimously approved a five-year contract to stay with Tamaqua Transfer, its current hauler.

“We sent out to about seven or eight companies for bids,” Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said. “In the end, we ended up receiving bids from two companies, Tamaqua Transfer and J.P. Mascaro and Sons.”

According to Sterner, Tamaqua Transfer came in as the low bidder by around $1.3 million for the five-year contract.

Jim Thorpe also got quotes for one and three-year pacts.

“I think going for the five-year contract helps us control our costs in budgeting,” Council Vice President Jay Miller said before making the motion to accept Tamaqua Transfer’s offer.

The approved contract, which totals $2.21 million and includes recycling, includes an option for an extension before going out for bids again.

“This will allow us to maintain the fees we charge our residents next year,” Sterner said. “I won’t go any further than that because of the skyrocketing costs of health care.”

In 2018, Jim Thorpe charges $25 per month for residential collection and disposal service, and $46.08 per month for commercial collection and disposal.