Recycling collection contract causes unanticipated budget shortfall

Higher than expected recycling collection contract bids have forced the Public Works Department to exceed its budget this year by $43,000.

The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously Monday night to award the $80,400 annual collection contract to Ruger’s Trucking.

Assembly member Jeigh Stanton Gregor asked how soon the unanticipated budget shortfall would be corrected.

“If we approve this contract, what is the vision to narrow that deficit as much as possible or make this potentially profitable,” Stanton Gregor asked.

Karl Hagerman, Director of Public Works, said profitability is tied to...