Centerville reviewing trash collection options, costs

Talk will soon get trashy in Centerville.

At their May 13 meeting, council President Dan Wandersee encouraged members to begin thinking about their next trash truck purchase to handle residential and commercial waste, or contracting with an outside provider.

Options include a truck operated by three employees with residents providing their own cans, or a truck operated by one employee that can lift lidded plastic totes like those in other communities.

Town Manager Kevin Slick said ordinances about how much waste each customer can set out should be reviewed.

Baker Tilly municipal advisers are working on a rate study to determine what the town should charge for trash collection. Wandersee wants to narrow the options before the study is finished.

Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Rice will investigate what town funds are available for a truck. Wandersee said a lot of previous federal or state grant money is in limbo or gone.

Ordering and receiving a truck could take two years, so as its current vehicle ages, making a speedy decision is preferable.

Councilor Gary Holbert encouraged Slick and his employees to “baby the truck as much as you can.”

In other business

• Town Manager Kevin Slick attended a pre-construction meeting for upcoming paving, expected to start in late August or early September near most of Centerville’s schools. One lane of traffic will be open at all times.
• Centerville Police Department responded to 301 calls in April, with reports ranging from a death investigation to an animal bite and six vehicle accidents.
• Police conducted two criminal investigations for domestic battery and one each for leaving the scene of an accident, vehicle theft, intimidation, disorderly conduct, strangulation, harassment and theft. They made three arrests on charges of operating while intoxicated, two for reckless driving and one each for possession of marijuana, resisting law enforcement, driving while license suspended and a warrant arrest. They made 103 vehicle stops and issued 55 state tickets and 10 warning tickets.
• Centerville Fire/Rescue received fewer calls, 53, in April. Sixteen were related to fire, 30 medical, and seven “other.”
• CF/R Auxiliary’s pancake breakfast on Centerville Youth League’s nearby opening day worked really well and they will plan to coordinate again.
• Council voted to authorize contracts to be signed for the upcoming comprehensive planning process.
• The water main project was to conclude in mid-May. The next phase will start in about three months after environmental paperwork is finalized.
• Council voted to spend $9,855 to replace a failed lift station pump and a second hydrant meter for about $2,500. The meter is in demand because of rest area construction along Interstate 70 and boring for fiber communication equipment installation. Not having two could reduce the town’s income from water usage.

Council’s work session will take place at 7 p.m. May 27, and the public may attend. A public hearing related to an additional appropriation will be part of council’s June 10 meeting.