They're trash-talking in Salisbury Township and the township manager wants more of it.

As of the April 10 township municipal meeting, Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano said he's only heard from about eight residents concerning possible changes in township garbage service.

"Some of the comments were: 'We don't really care about the rates, but we like the frequency,'" Soriano reported to the board of commissioners.

With approximately 5,000 residential units and a population of about 13,000, the annual fee for twice-weekly garbage pickup has been $340.

The township expects to issue Requests For Proposals next month because the six-year contract with Waste Management, Inc. expires at the end of June. The contract was a three-year pact, with a one-year renewal for three years. Waste Management was paid $1.5 million annually for each year of the contract.

Soriano said he's not worried about the deadline, nor should residents be concerned about interruptions in the garbage pickup because Waste Management officials have assured him they will extend the agreement past the deadline and continue to provide garbage service.

"If we can't meet the deadline, we can extend that contract. They [WM] have agreed that they will work with us," Soriano said.

Township commissioners want to weigh several options, to be included in the RFP, when they consider awarding a new garbage service contract. To change aspects of the service, Soriano and Township Solicitor John W. Ashley will write a new ordinance which would need commissioners' approval.

"Because Salisbury is so diverse, it's difficult to get 'one size meets all,'" Soriano said.

Among RFP options under consideration:

1. Continue garbage pickup as it is now with twice-weekly pickups.

2. Change garbage pickup to once-weekly.

3. Once per week with recycling.

4. Twice per week with recycling.

5. Automated pickup, which would require new 96-gallon, wheeled containers, one for garbage, one for recycling, to be distributed to residents.

6. Cost of new containers.

Soriano said he wants residents to email him, at rsoriano@salisburytownshippa.org, or write to him at: Township Manager Randy Soriano, Salisbury Township Municipal Building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., Allentown, Pa. 18103.

Soriano prefers residents not phone him as he would like to have a document detailing their preferences regarding township garbage pickup.

"I want to get enough comments to explore options," Soriano told a reporter for the Salisbury Press following the April 10 meeting.

Soriano said even if the new contract maintains the "status quo" of twice-weekly pickups, he thinks new trash containers might be needed. The capacity could increase from 20 gallons to 40 gallons.

The cost of providing containers to township households could be $300,000. That cost could be included in a new garbage services contract.