Town of Richmond Residents

NOTICE

Recently, our refuse and recycling service from Nieuwenhuis Bros. Inc. was acquired by GFL Environmental. Unfortunately, we are off to a rocky start with this new company. Please read the attached letter and accompanying documents for more information about their attempt to increase our billing and costs to the residents of our Township.

February 7, 2024

GFL Environmental
304 W. Sunny Lane Road
Janesville, WI  53546

RE: Town of Richmond – Walworth County Refuse & Recycling Fees

Gentlemen,

We are disappointed to have to take the time to write this letter. For many years we have enjoyed the services of Nieuwenhuis Bros. Inc. as our refuse and recycling contractor serving the residents of Richmond Township, and greater Walworth County.

Recently, you acquired their business and along with that the contracts they have entered into. The agreement with the Town of Richmond extends into and expires on December 31, 2026.

Attachment A identifies the fees we have been paying for these services over the past year. As you can see, our remittances have consistently been approximately $12,291 per month for these services.

On January 23, 2024, we received the first billing from your company for these services, (see Attachment B) in the amount of $10,927.06 which we promptly paid with check # 027804 on January 26, 2024.

On January 29, we received Attachment C from you. A revised billing in the amount of $13,454.65 representing a 35.6% increase in the Tipping fee, and an 87.2% increase in recycling surcharge, for a total billing increase of 9.46%.

We do not intend to pay an increase in our refuse & recycling fees in excess of that provided in our contract. Annualized, this represents approximately $14,000 additional costs to the residents of Richmond Township. If you made an error in your initial billing, we have no problem remitting an additional amount equal to what we have been paying for these services historically.

Our agreement provides for a 1% increase in collection fees in year 2024 and 2025 and provides for a 2% increase in 2026. Provisions are also made for fuel surcharge adjustments in the event of excessively rising fuel costs.

We request a written response to this notice of contract violation and will await your reply.

Sincerely,

Brian Hayes
Clerk, Town of Richmond