In a move aimed at tightening up revenue collection, officials in New Britain Borough have approved a contract with Keystone Collections Group to pursue unpaid trash fees.
Borough council voted Feb. 11 to shift responsibility from the elected tax collector to the private firm after repeated issues with delinquent payments.
Roughly 20 residents failed to pay their trash bills last year; that number has since dropped to 10, with about $4,000 still outstanding.
Borough Manager John F. Wolff said some residents have been subtracting trash fees from their tax payments altogether. Under the agreement, Keystone will issue mailed notices and can pursue delinquent accounts through magisterial district court if necessary.
The borough will pay $2 per initial notice and smaller fees for follow-ups, while late payers will ultimately bear collection costs. Trash service continues through Waste Management.
Officials acknowledged the change may cause confusion, as unpaid trash fees will now be billed separately from the quarterly tax bill.
