By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Nothing can duck from the grip of inflation. 

The price of porta potty rentals plus bi-weekly maintenance has surged upwards.

The monthly fee increased by almost 90 percent for each unit supplied by the company Blow Bros Inc. It went from $187 per unit to $350 per unit, which is an 87 percent increase.

“It is now more evident than ever that we need to consider a brick and mortar bathroom facility for the Causeway area,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

There was talk last year of the town finding property for permanent public bathrooms. That discussion stemmed from a reduction in portable toilet cleanings because of a shortage of employees.

On Monday, Hawley reported the price increase to the Naples Board of Selectmen. 

“We were notified at the end of last week that our cost for the rental and bi-weekly cleanings went from $187 per unit per month to $350. We have eight units we use from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. This jumped our cost from $1,496 a month to $2,800 — an increase of $7,824,” Hawley said. 

“We did not budget for this,” he said. “So, we have a couple options. We can reduce the number of units we use or we can plan to expend money from the Unanticipated Expenses Account at the end of the season.”

Selectman Kevin Rogers spoke. 

“If they keep up on cleanings, there would not be a need for more units,” Rogers said.

Hawley said that had been mentioned to the supplier.

“We complained we had bi-weekly cleanings and were getting only once a week. They talked to us this morning. They said, ‘We have you down for bi-weekly,’ ” Hawley said. 

Rogers 

“We should look for some reimbursement if they aren’t doing it,” he said, adding, “It’s not like we have any leverage.”

Hawley agreed that holding back on paying the bill wouldn’t resolve anything — if the portable toilets were not being maintained in a timely manner. 

“We called three other companies to get better pricing this year,” he said.

With the price increase sending the total cost up to more than $14,000 for the summer, the town has its hand forced in putting it out to bid. 

“This now puts us over our bidding requirement threshold so we will be going out to bid next year,” Hawley said. 

“It further emphasizes that we need a place” on the Causeway to put a permanent restroom facility, he said.