Trash costs to increase for Peabody customers
As has been the trend with other city services recently, an increase in trash pickup was presented to Peabody City Council Monday night.
However, the proposed increase is relatively small compared to those of other services recently approved by council.
Hank Yoder, representing Stutzman Refuse Service, was present to discuss contract options with council members. Yoder offered two-, three-, and five-year plans for trash pickup. The city currently is completing a three-year contract with Stutzman.
After discussion, council members approved another three-year contract. Increases to residential customers will be 10 cents a month in 2006, an additional 10 cents a month in 2007, and 25 cents a month in 2008. Recycling fees will remain the same and the company will continue to provide pickup during community cleanup weeks.
Yoder added his company appreciated the effort made by city treasurer Stephanie Ax to facilitate more organized refuse pickup during fall cleanup week.
"It went a lot faster for our crews in October," said Yoder. "We appreciate her getting the word out to residents so they had their pickup items boxed and bundled instead of strewn around at the curb."
Council heard from city engineer Al Reiss about demolition of the sewer plant and reclamation of the property by Fred Berns.
After discussion and presentation of information council agreed to hire Integrated Solutions Inc. to proceed with environmental testing.
Final approval of the city's sewer project will be put on hold until the environmental testing is completed. Council did approve an added fee to ISI to expedite the testing process.
Deb Buser reported on nuisance properties and council moved forward on several including 402 Elm, 501 Elm, and a property behind city property at the south end of Vine whose owners are deceased.
At his request Gary Hilliard was given until Nov. 14 to abate unsightly scrap iron on his property on Second Street.
In other business the council:
— approved an application for a Transportation Enhancement Project grant to encompass plans put forth in the city streetscape plan. The application is for fiscal year 2008 and if approved will pay for improvements to downtown infrastructure. The city would be responsible for 20 percent of project costs.
— heard from Dave Blythe, owner of the property at 411 N. Maple, that he had installed a water line, but had not yet installed a new heating unit. Blythe will submit in 60 days an update on additional progress to the property.
— opened six bids for the sale of a 1950 Ford tractor. A high bid of $700 was accepted from Ron Kreger of Garden City.
— agreed to sponsor Peabody police officer Jim Philpott to the next session of Leadership Marion County.
— heard the sewer project "walk-through" will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday.
— heard that alley/street intersections in need of additional lighting have been mapped and the information has been submitted to Westar.
— heard a progress report from the building committee about changes to the proposed municipal building. The group met with Mel Flaming of Flaming Metal Products to revise the plan and reduce proposed square footage. Changes will be presented to council when revisions are completed.
— accepted an offer from Frank Woodruff to paint trim on the city building. The Main Street design committee will select the color.
— approved two annual subsidy payments of $900 each to Peabody Emergency Medical Services. The payments meet the city's obligation for 2006 and 2005. The 2005 payment was previously overlooked.
— agreed to review job description revisions for city clerk Jeff Benbrook and city treasurer Ax. Final approval will be given by council next meeting.
