PORTER | On Tuesday night, the Porter Town Council discussed two trash and recycling bids for more than an hour before concluding they would pursue less cost over possibly less convenience.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of a contract with Allied Waste Services over Able Disposal, with council member Todd Martin the no vote. The contract was $180,000 less expensive over a three-year period than an alternative proposal to use a more labor-intensive method of alley trash removal.

However, department heads expressed concern an older section of town, which comprises some 300 homes, will prove difficult for the automated front-loading trucks to remove trash and recycling curbside.

Council member Michele Bollinger said the town has its back up against a wall.

"We almost don't have a choice because to do the alley is almost $200,000 more," she said.

Council member Michael Genger agreed.

"With the way things have gone up and the financial crisis, I would rather not have to pass along the cost to the consumer to be more convenient," Genger said.

Still, the bid is an increase of 44 percent over last year's contract and the council will meet Dec. 9 for a public hearing to determine fees for residents.

In other business, the town voted to approve beach permit fee increases.

The new fee structure, effective Jan. 1, will be $5 per permit for seniors per year; $15 a year for Porter residents; $40 a year for Indiana residents; and $75 a year for those out of state.