Adena officials discuss dumpster misuse

Adena Mayor Brenda Roski raised concerns about people dumping garbage in village dumpsters without paying for trash service.

“The dumpsters that are put around the village of Adena are not for village residents to put their garbage in and not pay a garbage bill,” Roski said. “I’m sick of it.”

Roski said residents who pay for trash service are upset when others use the dumpsters without paying. Councilmember R.J. Konkoleski said he has noticed two pickup trucks, one red and one silver, bringing garbage on Wednesdays before trash pickup.

Roski asked why the village no longer locks the dumpsters. Konkoleski said locking them could create problems for people using the softball field who need to dispose of trash. Councilmember Marla Bechtel suggested giving a key to one person in a group, such as the softball team.

Konkoleski asked whether the dumpsters were needed. Roski said they were not. Bechtel said they are used primarily for softball, while Roski said they are meant for people using the field to dispose of their own trash.

Konkoleski said the garbage bins are included in the village’s contract. He said people could be prosecuted if the village finds identifying information in trash dumped in the bins.

Roski also told council she has received complaints about people burning materials in their yards. She asked whether the village had an ordinance addressing the issue.

“The Ohio Revised Code has an ordinance,” Village Solicitor Adam Martello said. “The Ohio Basic Code probably contains it.”

Konkoleski said the state fire marshal also issues notices on burning rules from time to time.

Martello said some burning is prohibited, while other burning is allowed only at certain times. When he asked what type of burning Roski was referring to, she said both.

“You can always open burn if you’re cooking,” Konkoleski said, adding that cooking is an exemption under the law.

A statewide burn ban is in effect in Ohio from March 1 through May 31, prohibiting most outdoor debris burning in unincorporated areas between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. under Ohio Revised Code 1503.18. The regulations are intended to help prevent wildfires during dry spring conditions.