Council mulls options for spring cleanup
DGKN staff report
DALTON The village is considering options regarding this year’s spring cleanup program.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual spring cleanup was canceled last year. Officials expect a greater number of items will be dropped off this year, which means an increase in expense to the village, and safety also is a concern as the health crisis continues.
A committee of council members was put together to discuss how to proceed.
Nothing has been scheduled yet, but Street Superintendent Dave Reynolds said at the Feb. 22 council meeting that he has been receiving phone calls and he asked for council’s input. The spring cleanup, typically at the beginning of April, has been going on for as long as he can remember, Reynolds said.
“I have a feeling that this year is going to be bigger,” Reynolds said.
The village usually spends about $5,000 or $6,000 and the last time the village ran the program, they went through nine containers. The service is put on for village residents only and Reynolds said that every year out-of-town residents dump items. People also drop off hazardous items, for which the village is charged extra. Reynolds said it’s impossible to control what comes in to the facility.
“We can set limits but people abuse the system down there,” he said.
Reynolds gathered information about a possible one-day curbside program.
Councilman Terry Johns said council has the same discussion every year and understands the program is abused but he said villagers also appreciate the service.
Mayor Dennis Finley said people rummaging through dumpsters also is a concern.
Reynolds, Johns, council members Dee Rodi-Barbera and Mike Scheibe planned to meet about the program.
In other business:
* Reynolds told council that the Orrville Firefighters Association Fire in the Sky tournament would like to rent Dalton’s facility for the first weekend in July. So far, he had heard that 98 teams had signed up for the annual event that takes place at Orr Park and uses other facilities in the area.