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Residents push for clearer leaf-pickup notices; council discusses DPW vehicle and equipment repairs and tables fuel stipend request
Summary
Residents raised concerns that the village did not notify them promptly about leaf-pickup changes; officials said April–Nov leaf pickup remains under contract with Steven's Disposal and pledged better communication. Council also reviewed DPW vehicle and equipment repair options and tabled a request to increase the blight officer's fuel stipend.
At the Dec. 2 Carleton Village Council meeting, residents said they received little or no notice about changes to leaf pickup this season. Joanne Northey, a long-time resident, asked why the village had not communicated the change and worried that branch pickup might also end.
President James Penix responded that branch and brush pickup will continue and explained the village’s contract with Steven's Disposal covers leaf pickup from April 1 through Nov. 30 on Fridays, provided residents place leaves in yard-waste bags or a special labeled trash can. Penix apologized for not getting notice out earlier and said the village will improve communication.
Council members also recognized a volunteer effort organized by Lena and John Kaczmarek on Nov. 24: volunteers and donated bags helped collect leaves, leaving only a small section uncompleted when volunteers ran out of bags. Council thanked the volunteers and the Kaczmareks for donating 600 yard-waste bags.
On operational matters, Council discussed DPW vehicle needs and equipment repairs. Councilmembers Burkardt and Geiermann reported they are searching for a used pickup (one local option was listed at about $7,500 with roughly 165,000 miles) because the DPW needs a truck to haul gasoline cans. Blight Officer Derek Hurst suggested repurposing an older police car for DPW work and offered to assist with vehicle-auction sourcing.
Equipment issues noted included a red International dump truck receiving new front tires and a front-end alignment (expected back in service the next day), and a defective salter control unit on a white Ford Super Duty that controls the conveyor and spinner speeds; Penix said he would seek an updated quote for a new salt spreader. A quoted $247.06 crimp-hose repair for the red truck was discussed and deferred as not immediately necessary. The council also discussed a backhoe repair quote; additional problems were identified and an updated quote is pending.
Finally, the council discussed increasing the blight officer’s $250 monthly stipend by $50 to help cover fuel costs. Councilmember Jim Geiermann said the raise was not budgeted; the council voted to table the item until next year’s budget discussions. Motion to table was made by Geiermann and supported by Stolkey and carried by voice vote.
Stolkey also reported that Chuck Collert of Worldclass Landscaping donated and planted a holiday memorial tree at Ash Park in remembrance of former President Larry Buckingham; the Park Commission purchased a stake for signage and will coordinate a dedication date with the family.
The meeting closed with council comments thanking DPW and volunteers for holiday decorations and with adjournment at 7:15 p.m.
