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Residents press Northfield council on recycling-site move and litter, allege safety incidents at Pitluk Preserve
Summary
During public comment a resident said the new Chestnut recycling location is "too dark and secluded," raised concerns about drug paraphernalia and litter at Pitluk Preserve, and recounted a masked-teen confrontation; village staff said the move reduced operational interference at Houghton and curbside recycling bids were costlier.
A Northfield resident told council at the Aug. 23 meeting that moving the village recycling bin from Houghton to Chestnut has created accessibility and safety concerns for older residents and others.
Stephanie Lynn of 9260 Cranbrook Drive said the Chestnut location is “too dark and secluded and is hard for older people to access” and criticized the posted recycling hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) as impractical for residents who work during the day. She also reported finding empty pill bottles, drug paraphernalia and alcohol containers in the woods at Pitluk Preserve and described an early-summer encounter in which teenagers wearing ski masks confronted her near the train tracks. Lynn said police responded to that incident but the officers were unable to locate the teenagers.
Service Superintendent Jason Walters told council the Chestnut bin was moved because the Houghton site interfered with village operations and the Chestnut site’s more remote location deters out-of-town dumping. Councilmember Alan Hipps said curbside recycling bids that included curbside service were significantly higher than options that did not include curbside pickup, and council determined most residents did not want to pay the higher price.
Mayor Jenn Domzalski disputed a suggestion that police regularly ask out-of-town teens to leave Huntington Park, saying no one is asked to leave the park unless they are misbehaving or violating park rules.
County Councilperson Rita Darrow attended as an observer and asked whether the proposed Gun Range would offer firearms training; the owners said firearms training courses will be held on site. Darrow also distributed magnets with county phone numbers and requested prayers for a young Akron shooting victim. A neighbor asked whether the Gun Range would offer special rates for residents; owners said discounts for first responders and veterans are planned and they would consider resident pricing.
Council did not take formal action on the recycling location or Pitluk Preserve concerns at the Aug. 23 meeting. Staff and council members noted prior bids and budget considerations related to curbside service and said operations and safety will continue to be monitored.
