Trash pickup costs rise for Cambridge City

Youth sports facilities, trash collection, stray cats, water and other topics were discussed during Cambridge City council’s March 9 meeting.

Trash

Cambridge City’s five-year trash pickup contract with Rumpke ends March 31. Residents now pay $16.71 monthly for one trash and one recycling cart.

Council voted to approve a five-year contract starting at $18.71 for 2026-27 plus $3.50 per additional cart. Both will rise 5% each year ($19.65, $20.63, $21.66 and $22.74 for pickup).

Now, council plans to update trash rates. Residents can speak about the increase during a public hearing at council’s 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, meeting at town hall, 127 N. Foote St.

Youth league

Cambridge City Youth League volunteers asked for help replacing the town-owned concession stand’s roofing and gutters, noting safety issues. Miller Wood Specialties is donating sheeting.

Selling concessions is key to keeping participation costs at $65/child for many years.

And, two rotten light poles, approximately $8,000, need replacement, preferably before a 20-team tournament.

CCYL breaks even on programming with about 90 kids, but capital improvements are a struggle.

While volunteers have made repairs and painted buildings at the older park, many fixes weren’t sufficiently long term, council learned.

Council tabled the matter until April to research grant opportunities.

Feral cats

Council accepted donations from Lauralee Hites ($60) and Regina Erlewein ($50) toward its trap/neuter/release program that was set for March 17-18. About 20 cats are expected to be caught and treated for $60 each.

Councilor Gary Cole said everyone’s on the same page to do what’s best for animals and Church Street residents.

Those noticing other cat colonies are asked to contact town hall.

Equipment

Council purchased a $15,000 used bucket truck from Hagerstown containing about $50,000 of improvements over the past few years, including a new engine. Hagerstown bought a new truck.

Joe Webb, public works superintendent, said this truck is newer, safer and reaches higher than Cambridge City’s 1994 model with steering and safety issues. A new bucket truck would cost at least $120,000.

Webb said town laborers now can trim trees instead of hiring contractors.

Cambridge City is using an $11,207 insurance payout for its stolen snowplow, plus Economic Development Income Tax funds for the bucket truck.

Council also approved an equipment auction and hired Johnny Moistner for part-time mowing and leaf collection.

Water

Council approved an interlocal agreement with Wayne County for the new Gateway Industrial Park water tower with a 4-1 vote; Gary Cole was opposed.

Wayne County would provide $1.8 million plus the $600,000 town contribution and U.S. Economic Development Administration’s $2.8 million grant. County officials might approve the agreement March 18.

Council also approved a new contract with Baker Tilly municipal advisers for an updated water rate study, up to $12,500. Attorney Bob Bever said the study will determine how much income comes from the town and industrial park and would help keep the town’s customers from being overcharged. Councilor Mike Amick said he’d like to see commercial customers in town eventually paying the industrial rate.

In other business

• Cambridge City Police Department received $320 from Chicago Pizza’s “Dine to Donate.”
• Council introduced an ordinance to increase fees for hazardous material fire runs, saved for future discussion.

Council’s next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, 127 N. Foote St., Cambridge City. The public may attend.