Carrollton Village Council reviews Kimble contract, hears supervisor reports

Municipal Sales Director Gary Adkins of Kimble Recycling & Disposal Inc. attended the Carrollton Village Council meeting Jan. 12 to discuss the company’s proposal for the village’s new refuse and recycling contract. Kimble submitted the only proposal, offering a 10-year agreement similar to the village’s 2016 contract, with options for three- and two-year extensions. Village Administrator Mark said pricing remains consistent with what the village locked in a decade ago and that only minor adjustments were made in the new proposal.

“We've had remarkable service with Kimball,” Wells said. “I appreciate the fact that they submitted a proposal. In the course of a year, I may get five to 10 calls on service and they've always been quick to respond.”

One notable change is that residents may now request a 95-gallon trash tote at no additional cost, addressing issues of overflowing carts, while recycling containers would remain at up to 65 gallons. The larger tote option is voluntary, as some residents may prefer the smaller size. The village and Kimble will coordinate tote swaps through the transfer station and are still working on logistics. Council voted to authorize the preparation of an ordinance to enter into the new contract.

The contract also continues the village’s spring and fall cleanup days and allows residents to place one extra item curbside each week at no charge. Adkins offered to provide updated recycling guidelines after council members asked about which plastic containers are accepted.

In an unrelated matter, council heard from department supervisors. Sewer Department Supervisor Kevin Moore reported four recent backup calls, all traced to residential laterals, and cleared roots from a recurring trouble line while preparing for an upcoming EPA permit inspection.

Street Department Supervisor Ben Palmer completed leaf mulching, hot-mix patching, drain cleanouts, berm work, Christmas light installation and removal and readied all plow trucks and equipment for winter while assisting other departments during snow events.

Water Department Supervisor Derik Kaltenbaugh replaced a hydrant on North Lisbon, believed to have been struck by a truck, along with valves and check valves at the wells, and investigated a drainage issue near the trailer park that was not caused by a village line. Routine tasks included equipment maintenance, truck undercoating, utility locates, meter replacements and final reads. Council agreed supervisors could provide emailed updates going forward unless an issue required them to attend in person.

In other business, council:

— REAPPOINTED Wilma Lambert as council president for the new term. Members also confirmed Brittany Tangler and Travis Parker to continue serving on the Volunteer Fire Department Fund Board. Council also addressed representation on the Regional Planning Commission, with Lambert again appointed to serve as the village’s representative after expressing willingness to continue. Mayor Bill Stoneman said committee assignments had been updated, including the removal of former council member Tom White and the reassignment of duties among current members.

— HIRED Joshua Havens for the road maintenance worker position in the street department. Wells said he brings strong prior experience with plowing and related duties. He also has a commercial driver’s license. Council supported the recommendation and praised the quality of the applicant pool.

— APPROVED the continued covering of downtown parking meters for one more month. Because the village has dealt with past issues related to meter use, Lambert suggested leaving the meters covered to see whether any parking problems arise without active enforcement. All agreed they were not opposed to extending the covered period, and the final decision would be conveyed to the police chief.

— NOTED that the Eddie Maple honorary signs have been installed — one at each end of town. Members said the signs look good and were pleased to see them finally in place.

— DISCUSSED potential new sidewalks along Canton Road, where pedestrian and wheelchair traffic currently share the roadway. The estimated cost for installing sidewalks on both sides is about $3 million. The village is working with OMEGA to look at grant funding, beginning with support for the design phase. A meeting was scheduled with OMEGA representatives to move the project forward and explore available funding options.

— PAID the village bills of $182,399.59 in vendor payments, $55,200.13 in payroll and $5,338.29 in bills without prior certification.