NEWS

Oak Harbor residents voice concerns over trash removal

Craig Shoup
Reporter

OAK HARBOR – Residents recently started voicing concerns over trash being left at the curb every week after pickup.

On Jan. 1, a new contract for trash removal began with Republic Trash Services. Trash removal is no longer unlimited. The only trash removed must fit inside the 96-gallon trash tote purchased by the homeowner.

A new contract with Republic Trash Service now excludes unlimited trash pick up.

"Unlimited trash service is a thing of the past," said village administrator Randall Genzman. "The bid was for a 96-gallon rolling tote."

Under the old contract, the price was $13.84. The charge is now $16 per month for one trash tote. The recycling cost has not changed, remaining at $3.20, Genzman said.

Cathy Priddy said she left two boxes on top of her trash can last week, only to see them on the ground when she returned home.

"The week before, we had both our trash cans sitting out and they only took one," she said. "We have always had two, and they used to get both."

Trash pick up in Oak Harbor has become a debate, after residents claim trash is being left behind.

Priddy said she asked Republic Trash Services why the extra boxes were not taken. She said she was told the mayor (Bill Eberle) had changed the policy, excluding garbage outside the can.

Eberle was quick to point out on the Facebook group that he did not authorize a policy change. The village contracts with Republic Trash Services, who stated they would no longer provide unlimited trash pick up.

Jennifer Clere, a Republic customer who lives outside village limits, said she has had no issues with her trash service.

"(They are) always on time, and take anything extra (so far) that we leave," she said on the Talk of Oak Harbor (Uncensored) Facebook group. "We've even put some odd things from when we cleaned (the) garage, and they hauled it away with no extra charge."

Larger families and houses in need of additional help for overflowing cans are able to purchase additional trash containers or buy blue trash bags that are permitted for removal by Republic at the village's utility building for $2.50 per bag.

With the new contract, Eberle said the village will receive $25,000 to be used for road repair due to garbage trucks driving on residential streets. He said this is the first time the village will receive money from a trash contract for future street repairs.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-734-7504

Twitter: CraigShoupNH

Since the first of the year, trash located outside the bin is no longer expected to be picked up by Republic Trash Service in Oak Harbor.