News Release
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Frank Baraff 914-469-3775

Orange Has New Sanitation Contractor

Effective December 8th, Joseph Smentkowski, Inc. of Jersey City has purchased the assets of East Coast Sanitation, Orange’s sanitation contractor, and will begin performing Orange’s contract with East Coast.

East Coast Sanitation is bankrupt and is going out of business as a result of a $25 million judgment against the contractor in a civil suit. In a lawsuit against East Coast Sanitation filed by Suburban Disposal of Fairfield, Superior Court Judge Claude Coleman found that East Coast didn’t have worker’s compensation or liability insurance and that the company didn’t comply with performance-bond requirements, both required by the state’s Environmental Rights Act.

Orange has been extremely dissatisfied with the performance of East Coast Sanitation under its contract. As a result of the City’s investigation of East Coast Sanitation earlier this year, Orange received negotiated fines or penalties of approximately Four Thousand Four Hundred ($4,300.00) Dollars for violations of its contract.  In addition, the City’s file on the investigation was forwarded to the State Comptroller and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their review.

The Public Works Department has been inindated with residents’ complaints over the past year, regarding the collection service, sent numerous letters, and averaged 10 calls daily to East Coast to facilitate service.  At the time of purchase, the City had initiated an additional $50,000.00 in fines for 500 separate contract violations.In addition to the fines assessed and paid, the City had made it clear that it would move to terminate the contract if any further breaches occurred. 

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.

“We will be very carefully monitoring the performance of the new sanitation contractor. It is highly likely that, in the short-run, this change of refuse collection companies will generate problems and complaints as the new company learns the routes in Orange. I am hopeful that the transition period will be short, and that the new company will comply in all respects with its contract.

Statement by Arlene Kemp PE, PP Municipal Engineer/Director of Public works

“The new contractor has made a good start; we have received only 5 complaints this week.  The supervisor is proactive and is finishing the route about 1:00 as apposed to the former contractor’s completion time averaging 6:00pm.”

Any Orange residents or businesses who have a service related complaint with this new company should contact our Public Works Office. We will act to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We will keep the public apprised of developments and additional information regarding the change of contractor as it is received.”