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LEETONIA -- Village Council last week approved the first readings of two ordinances regarding new trash collections rules.
Council approved a new ordinance replacing the previous one that allows six company licenses, expands pickup hours to 3 a.m., increases companies' insurance policies and revokes licenses after three violations. Council also approved a new ordinance that limits the amount of time a trash can may remain on the curb to 48 hours.
Council in January authorized Diamondback Disposal of East Liverpool to operate within village limits for 30 days while council addresses the ordinance. Diamondback began operating in the village without a license and all five of the village's available licenses had already been issued for 2021.
Council opted to amend the village's ordinance instead of telling residents they had to find another trash collection provider. While amending the ordinance to allow for an extra hauler, council also took the opportunity to address how licenses are issued and revoked, which Mayor Kevin Siembida said is not sufficiently addressed.
The new ordinances include the addition of one license, to six, to allow for Diamondback to operate in the village, and any other companies will be rejected; pickup hours will be expanded to 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 3 a.m. to noon Saturday, adding three hours each morning; and residents will only be allowed to keep trash cans on the curb for 48 hours--24 hours before pickup and 24 hours after.
Additionally, companies will be required to carry a $1 million insurance policy, an increase of $500,000, which village Solicitor Walter Newton said is typical for most companies; the annual license fee will be raised to $250, an increase of $150, due on Jan. 31 of each year (the current ordinance does not stipulate a due date for the fee); and Siembida will be able to revoke a license after three violations of the ordinance in a year. The amended ordinance will also eventually address safety of trucks after a review of ordinances of surrounding communities.
Council previously agreed to continue discussion of a single trash hauler contract and ways to address the safety of trash collection trucks at a later date.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 17 at village hall, followed by a parks/coke ovens committee meeting.
khowell@salemnews.net