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Cortland service department: Portland Elementary demolition under way; brush pickup, committee dates noted
Summary
City staff reported environmental sampling has started ahead of full demolition of Portland Elementary School; the land bank will manage bidding. Council also noted brush pickup, department reports and a tentative safety-service committee date.
CORTLAND, Ohio — City staff told the Cortland City Council on Oct. 20 that environmental remediation work has begun to prepare Portland Elementary School for full demolition, and that the Trumbull County Land Bank will handle bidding for the demolition contract.
A representative of the service department said environmental contractors began on-site work the day of the meeting to collect samples needed before demolition can proceed; the sampling team was expected to be present about a week. After remediation and sample collection, the land bank will handle the bidding and subsequent demolition contracting.
The council also noted logistical items from the service department: the final brush pickup of the year was scheduled, with rules and guidelines available on the city's website and bulletin board. The service department speaker reminded residents to follow published placement guidelines.
Other department updates included a police report and town-hall event: Police Chief Keith Morrison referenced a recent town-hall meeting and said his written report was in the council packet. Fire Chief Ray said he will request a safety-service committee meeting tentatively set for Nov. 3 and offered to answer questions on his monthly report.
Why it matters
Environmental sampling is the required step before demolition of a school building to identify and address hazardous materials. The land bank's involvement means the demolition procurement will be handled through that agency's bidding process rather than direct city procurement, which can affect timeline and contractor selection. Brush pickup and seasonal service changes are practical concerns for residents and affect curbside operations.
What the council said
The service department representative said, "we are proceeding with the full demolition of Portland Elementary School. The environmental people are in there. They started today, to do the remediation so that they can do the demolition." A separate service-department remark noted contractors would collect samples for about a week and that the land bank would manage bidding and contracting.
Next steps
Environmental sampling and any required remediation will precede demolition contracting through the land bank. The fire chief's requested safety-service committee meeting may be scheduled for early November, and residents should consult city webpages or the public bulletin for brush-pickup rules and dates.
