Adena mayor voices frustration over town’s garbage issues, explores enforcement options

Mayor Brenda Roski voiced frustration over residents’ trash problems during a recent council meeting, particularly targeting those who do not pay for garbage pickup. Speaking under the Police Report, Roski outlined her concerns and proposed solutions, while acknowledging she was unsure about the legality of her ideas.

“But I would like to rent a dumpster and all these people that have this junk everywhere… we have trash pickup, it’s called Kimble,” Roski said. “And I don’t know why we don’t do something and mandate people to have garbage removal. It’s ridiculous, it’s getting out of hand.”

Roski cited several streets where trash has become a growing problem, noting that some residents have resorted to burning their garbage. “Right on Main Street, we’ve got people burning garbage because they don’t have garbage pickup,” she said. “But I would like to, before the snow gets any deeper, get one dumpster.”

She proposed requiring residents without garbage service to dispose of their trash in a rented dumpster or face fines, but she questioned whether such enforcement would be legal. “I’ve had it with the junk,” she said.

Roski also suggested exploring the use of community service workers or prisoners to assist in cleaning up trash, possibly using the village’s truck for collection. “It’s just my opinion, but I’m tired of the phone calls, I’m tired of people not having any pride,” she said. “Here we are decorating, and you’ve got mice and rats running in garbage.”

When asked for feedback, Council member RJ Konkoleski agreed that cleaning up the town was important and said the mayor had authority to rent a dumpster. However, he questioned the fairness of offering free trash disposal to residents who don’t pay for garbage pickup. “I pay for my garbage to get hauled away—why should some deadbeat get it for free because we don’t want to look at their trash?” he said. Roski agreed and said she understood his point.

At that time, Village Solicitor Adam Martello entered the meeting and said he would research the issue. He noted that the village could possibly address the problem through an ordinance mandating garbage service. When Roski asked about obtaining a dumpster, Martello said she could but suggested contacting Kimble to arrange a special pickup. Officials noted that Kimble typically conducts trash collection in the spring, but Roski said she did not want to wait until May.

Council member Alex Donley said he doubted the residents most in need of cleanup would take advantage of the service. It was clarified that individuals pay for their own Kimble contracts. Roski said the village would use that service in the spring but emphasized that the current situation “is pretty bad.”

She added that she planned to meet with Police Chief Casey Robinson to discuss possible enforcement. “If he says we’re allowed to do it and he’s willing to help me figure out something in writing to tap on their doors—or he would do it—that’s fine,” Roski said. “And if they don’t use it, they’re going to get fined. I’ve had it.”