GAS — A truck owned by Gas and manned by city employees will collect trash in Gas and East Lawn starting July 6, and will collect every Tuesday thereafter. This is the last month for a private carrier, Cole’s Trash Service of LaHarpe.
“We have the truck all ready to go,” said Steve Robb, city superintendent. “We don’t foresee any problems.”
The decision for city councilmen Tuesday night was whether to make the service mandatory for all.
“We object to mandatory trash hauling,” said Jean Laver, who came to the meeting with her husband, Bob. “Why should we be forced to pay for a service that we have no use for?”
The Lavers said they preferred to haul trash at their convenience to the Allen County Landfill, just southeast of LaHarpe.
The primary reason for mandatory pickup would be to ensure the revenue stream, said City Attorney Ross Albertini.
Mark Henry said the service had “to hold its own money-wise.” City Clerk Rhonda Hill, with Robb’s concurrence, said she thought the service would pay for itself, mandatory or not.
Councilmen decided that any residential trash hauled from Gas, other than by individuals, would have to be carried in the city’s truck. Councilmen will review the service in July and indicated that mandatory participation may be down the road. Commercial carriers still will service businesses, which is beyond Gas’ capabilities.
Cole’s service had 150 residential customers in Gas. Another 63, including 22 in a mobile home park, had other means of disposing of trash.
ART CHAPMAN of Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in LaHarpe told councilmen that ACARF would take dogs and cats picked up in Gas for a flat fee of $75.
“We’ll take responsibility from day one,” he said, including spaying and neutering, monitoring health and trying to find homes for animals not claimed by owners. Whether the city is reimbursed for claimed animals would be up to them, he said.
For several years Gas has maintained a pound. Statistics indicate contracting with ACARF would save the city money, Hill said.
So far this year one dog has been picked up. Six were caught in 2009, two in 2008 and four in 2007.
Councilmen asked Chapman to prepare a contract for review at their July 13 meeting.
ROBB SAID mosquito suppression spraying would start this evening and continue periodically through the summer.
He also noted that some surplus city items would be offered for sale at an auction Saturday outside City Hall. Most proceeds will go to benefit Fees Park.
