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Parma service director targets 40 roads, flags Rumpke contract increase
Summary
Service director told council the new five‑year Rumpke contract and higher fuel and wage costs are the primary drivers of a larger service budget; he set a target to pave 40 roads this year with an estimated $5–7 million program and described equipment and staffing needs.
Service Director Tony Manello told council the service department’s budget increased mainly because of a new five‑year garbage contract with Rumpke; residential collection rates moved from roughly $17 to $20.57 per unit per month and that was the primary driver in service account increases. He said the department bid competitively but expected the cost jump given fuel and wage pressures.
Manello outlined needs for the streets program: a goal to repave about 40 roads this year, with an estimated total cost of $5–7 million once point repairs, catch‑basin/manhole rehabilitation and coordination with utilities are included. He said crews will continue to bring more work in‑house (for example, manhole rehabilitation) and that equipment needs include additional double‑axle trucks and a bucket truck; some purchases will be timed to free up lease payments from earlier years.
Council asked about snow‑plow staffing and whether additional seasonal or permanent hires are needed. Manello said ideal large‑truck coverage on a major snow event is about 22 large trucks per shift (roughly 66 drivers for three shifts), but current practice relies on supervisors juggling available crews; he is budgeting part‑time laborers to cover seasonal needs and cautioned that finding part‑time CDL drivers for winter plowing is difficult.
Next steps: Manello said he will seek appropriation for the paving program and pursue equipment acquisitions, and councilmembers asked him to return if staffing requests become necessary.
