Idea of single trash hauler revived

Chardon city leaders are looking into the possibility of a single trash hauler to serve the community.

Chardon city leaders are looking into the possibility of a single trash hauler to serve the community.

City Council will hold a special session at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at city hall to discuss a citywide trash collection and recycling program.

Also on the agenda is a sidewalk connection financing plan and a presentation on economic development from Buxton, a customer analytics company.

Council requested that staff investigate a onehauler program and how it may benefit the city, said Chardon Planning & Zoning Administrator Steve Yaney. Currently, a handful of companies are being contracted by individual property owners for such service.

“Several cities, townships and villages — including Middlefield — have recently gone out to bid for trash contracts and the outcomes were very beneficial to residents in those communities,” Yaney said.

City Manager Randy Sharpe noted that this also is a response to a National Citizen Survey question on the importance of exploring a single hauler to provide trash removal and recycling at a reduced price. Nearly 90 percent responded favorably, with 72 percent rating it “very important” or “essential.”

Kirtland and Mentor are among others in the area that have kept a one-hauler contract for years. Both reported significant cost savings.

For Mentor, the contract cut residents’ monthly cost by about half, said Public Works Director Matt Schweikert.

“Other benefits are that only one truck goes down the street per week versus multiple trucks, and cans only sit out one day per week in any given area,” he said. “Having a contract hauler also allows for more quality control when there are problems. (For example), if someone reports that a garbage truck spilled hydraulic fluid, we know who it is.”

This isn’t the first time Chardon officials have discussed the idea. A public hearing in September 2009 drew about 50 residents, several of whom opposed the proposal. A few expressed support.

Concerns included lack of personal choice and adding a layer of bureaucracy. Some suggested that the decision be given to voters.

At the time, Sharpe said residents who dispose of small amounts of trash, such as those who live alone or are gone during the winter months, would still have the option to use special bags for waste instead of the 96-gallon rolling bins provided by the hauler. Residents who dispose of their trash legally at other sites also would be able to opt out of any program, he said.

No action is anticipated at this week’s meeting other than to provide direction to the administration, Mayor Jeff Smock said.