Friday, January 16, 2026
Mayor Lutz does about-face, pushes for single-hauler trash pickup
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
At Tuesday's borough council meeting, Lutz cited the number of different haulers on borough streets as one reason for going to a single hauler. "It's well over a dozen different haulers running around this town," Lutz estimated.
"It's time for us to get with the rest of the world," Lutz said. "Everybody around us, and probably most of Lancaster County is going to the single-hauler system." Lutz previously opposed the idea when it was discussed in 2019.
Currently, Columbia residents may select their own trash company from among several providers. Under a single-hauler system, the borough would contract with one company to handle all residential trash collection. The borough would oversee collection and payment. Lutz proposed issuing an RFP (Request for Proposals) for a single trash hauler for the borough.
Lutz also cited cost savings for residents as another reason for using a single hauler. He said Mountville Borough, which uses a single hauler, charges $70 a quarter for trash pickup, whereas he just paid $112 for the service.
Council explored the idea in 2019
When council explored the idea at an October 2019 councilwork session, residents, business owners and Lutz opposed the idea of a single hauler.
Then-councilman John Novak opened the discussion by offering some potential positives of a single-hauler:- Less impact on roads
- Less traffic
- Reduced cost
- Recycling improvement
- Reduced noise pollution
Lutz, however, argued that a single-hauler would put local trash companies out of business and eliminate jobs for borough residents. He also said a large hauler wouldn't provide special pickups for items like mattresses or televisions.
"You're not going to get a big hauler to do that kind of work, that kind of assistance for you," Lutz said.
Also at that meeting, several residents commented, all of whom opposed using a single hauler:
JoAnn Fritz: "Just because you're going to get a cheap estimate - cheap is not the best."
Shirley McBride: "I've been through the single hauler, and it was an absolute nightmare."
Sharon Lintner: "Gamby is the best. As long as you pick him, I'm for it."
Kelly Kline of River Valley Disposal: "Cheaper is not better. You're not going to be able to control the quality of what you get with a single hauler."
Howard Stevens: "Mr. Gamby and River Valley - You couldn't ask for anything better."
Frank Doutrich: "Myself, I'm happy with my hauler."
Robin Gamby of Gamby's Disposal Service: "There's a lot that's been given back to this town by the trash haulers that are represented here."
Heather Zink: "Let us enjoy the good service that we enjoy."
Council revisited the topic in 2024
Council revisited the topic in September 2024, when then-President Heather Zink said tracking trash violations was difficult because the borough doesn't receive notification when companies stop service due to unpaid bills. She suggested residents could save money with a single hauler.
At that meeting, Lutz cited the pending retirements of two longtime local hauling company owners as reason to consider a single hauler, saying "the time is right."
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Columbia Borough Council decides not to reopen 2026 budget
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JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
At Tuesday night's Columbia Borough Council meeting, council decided not to reopen its 2026 budget.
The subject had been broached at the January 5 organizational meeting when Council President Eric Kauffman said he wanted to open the budget and possibly raise taxes. At last night's meeting, however, Kauffman said he had wanted to give new councilors a chance to weigh in, since they were not yet on council when the budget was passed in December. “I am giving you guys the opportunity if you would like to reopen the budget and maybe look at some cost savings.” Kauffman said, addressing new councilors Ethan Byers, Jeanne Cooper, and Thomas Ziegler, Jr.
Before councilors responded, resident Sharon Lintner addressed Kauffman and pointed out the inconsistency. “Tonight you said cost saving was the reason [for opening the budget]. But at the last meeting, you said it was because you were thinking about raising taxes,” Lintner said.
Kauffman responded that he had heard there was discussion by councilors about raising taxes to protect financial reserves. Currently, general fund reserves stand at about $300,000, much lower than the recommended 15% of the budget, and the millage is 10 mills. “I just wanted to give everybody the opportunity, since we have three new council members, to speak their mind since they didn't have an opportunity,” Kauffman said.
Ethan Byers suggested splitting the difference not just through taxes and reserves but with considerable cuts, adding that he doesn't want to raise taxes for 2026. Byers also suggested a hiring freeze “maybe for the first six months of the year.”
Acting Borough Manager Jack Brommer announced that a hiring freeze is already in effect. “We have enacted a hiring freeze as far as the new positions that were placed in the budget,” Brommer said. He also noted he is expecting at least one retirement from the police department in the near future.
Council is still looking to hire a finance manager, though, according to Kauffman. The borough’s most recent finance manager resigned in December, as Columbia Spy reported HERE. Currently, finances are being outsourced to Brown Plus, an accounting firm.
Councilors Cooper and Ziegler said they don't support opening the budget. Byers ended the discussion with a promise to move aggressively on finances: “Our plan currently is to be pretty aggressive about making financial changes this year. So, as long as we follow through on that, which I hope we do, I hope that we can make some sizable changes before the next year and not have to make any tax increases—or keep them as low as possible if we do have to do that.”
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Council: NO tax hike for 2026; hiring freeze in effect
Details will follow.
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