HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — Trash cans throughout Huntingdon will soon be blue instead of green.
The Town Council awarded a new solid waste collection contract to Republic Services on a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, April 28. Mayor Chad Edwards said it will help the town avoid a rate increase for at least a year.
Republic Services submitted the lowest residential bid at $11.95 per unit per month, beating out Waste Management’s bid of $13.80 per unit and Unified Disposal Partners at $19. The new contract takes effect in July.
Waste Management, the town’s current solid waste collection provider, charges $13.80 per can, the same as their bid. The town will save at least $1.85 per residential unit per month.
Todd Chamberlain with Republic Services attended the meeting.
Council member Chad Barnhart pressed Chamberlain on what happens when weather delays collection and results in a missed week, explaining that residents still pay the same monthly rate even when pickup is missed.
Chamberlain said the company prioritizes safety during severe weather but always makes up missed collections the following week.
“All of the trash does get collected, and it gets collected typically the next business week cycle,” Chamberlain said.
Barnhart wasn’t entirely satisfied. He pointed out that a full cart only holds so much, and storing excess garbage isn’t easy.
He explained that if a week is missed “I’m piling it up on my deep freezer and everything, trying to keep the coons out.”
“If it’s in the middle of summer, you got to worry about the smell,” he added.
Chamberlain said multiple factors go into the price Republic charges, including the time and equipment required to provide the service. He noted that making up a missed week takes extra effort.
“It does end up taking longer, because you have to do that to get caught up, and you have to do that within the next week or so, because if you don’t, you never get caught up,” Chamberlain said.
He added that breach-of-service language could be written into the contract if the council had concerns, though he said he doesn’t expect it would ever be needed.
Chamberlain also explained how Republic would coordinate with Waste Management, the town’s current solid waste collector, to swap containers.
“What we will do is follow [Waste Management], and as they empty their cans, they remove their can, and we drop ours behind it, so that there’s no interruption between those two services,” Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain said Republic plans to work with the town on a communication plan using local media, newspaper, radio, and social media to keep residents informed during the transition.
Grinder Pump Ordinance Finalized
The council gave final approval to Ordinance No. 656, which establishes rules for the installation, maintenance, and usage of grinder pump systems in areas where gravity-flow sewer connections aren’t possible due to elevation or other obstacles.
Under the new ordinance, the town will continue to provide maintenance labor on grinder pump units installed before June 2023, though property owners will be billed for parts. That maintenance obligation ends if the property is sold. For all new construction, property owners and developers will bear the full cost of grinder pump installation, electrical service, and ongoing maintenance.
The ordinance also gives the town the right to access grinder pump systems on private property for inspections, repairs, and emergencies, and spells out a list of prohibited uses, including disposal of grease, wipes, and toxic substances into the system. Property owners who fail to properly maintain their systems and cause a sewage overflow can be held liable for all cleanup, repair, and regulatory fines.
The measure had drawn discussion at the March meeting, with Council member Barnhart raising concerns about honoring commitments made to residents who were annexed into the city under the understanding that the town would maintain their grinder pumps.
The ordinance passed unanimously on second and final reading Tuesday without further discussion.
Municipal Election Called
The council seats held by John Sanders, Andrew Maddox, and Kelly Eubanks will be up for election this year.
The council approved Resolution No. 026-05, formally calling the November 3, 2026, municipal election for the three at-large council seats.
Candidates must file a petition of nomination signed by at least 25 qualified electors with the Carroll County Election Commission by noon on August 20, 2026.
Fire Chief Praised
Mayor Edwards took time during communications to highlight the accomplishments of Fire Chief John Fordon since the town moved to a full-time fire chief position, separate from the former public safety director role.
Edwards credited the split with producing visible results, such as a new engine placed into service, the launch of a public education program, an emergency medical response (EMR) program, updated policies, daily training, more volunteers and part-time members, annual physicals, and performance evaluations.
“For years, we had a public safety director, and we decided to split it up,” Edwards said. “You can see the benefit we got with a fire chief and a police chief.”
Dixie Carter PAC — HVAC
The council awarded a bid for two new rooftop HVAC units at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center to Tim Ferguson Plumbing, Air, Electric of Jackson, the apparent low bidder at $16,954. Five firms submitted bids.
Edwards recommended accepting the bid, noting that installing both units at once saves on crane rental costs.
Street Department Equipment
The council approved two purchases for the Street Department: a Bush Hog 4110 single flex-wing rotary cutter at $21,750 from B&G Equipment, and a 2026 Freightliner 114SD tandem truck at $180,435 from TAG Truck Center of Jackson under a Sourcewell contract.
Town Recorder Kim Carter explained that $106,000 of the truck purchase comes from reserves set aside in 2023 when the town had planned to buy two tandem trucks but only purchased one. The remainder was budgeted for this fiscal year.
Water Bill Adjustments
The council approved two water bill adjustments. They reduced both to $250 under a precedent set at previous meetings.
The original bills were $1,404.12 and $1,897.21 before adjustment.
Other Business
The council approved the purchase of $47,199.80 in 3M Scott Air-Paks and related firefighting equipment from Municipal Emergency Services, fully funded by a state Volunteer Fire Department grant.
Mayor Edwards also read a Purple UP! proclamation recognizing April 15 as Military Children Day, and noted that the Huntingdon High School Fillies basketball team received the Pinnacle of Excellence Award on April 26.
Huntingdon’s next council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26 in the council room of City Hall at 5:15 p.m.
