Cortland prepares for Oct. 1 garbage transition

CORTLAND -- City residents will begin using a new garbage hauler Thursday and Mayor Jim Bradley is asking residents for patience.

"Ohio Valley Waste is a new vendor for our city, and we need to give them time," Bradley said. "I feel they will have a good plan and good rates for our residents."

The city's previous vendor, Republic Services, continued working for Cortland after its contract expired. Republic had the opportunity to bid on the new contract, along with several other companies, with all companies bidding on the same level of service, Bradley said.

Ohio Valley submitted the lowest bid.

"This will save the residents a lot, and we will have a good contract," Bradley said.

He said the contract presents a best-case scenario at a time when diesel fuel costs are driving up the price of everything from groceries to gas. He said there was no reason not to select the low bidder through the public bidding process.

The five-year contract runs through Sept. 30, 2031. Standard service for 2026 costs $18.65 per month and includes weekly collection of a 95-gallon trash cart and every-other-week collection of a 64-gallon recycling cart. Residents also may choose prepaid bag service.

Ohio Valley Operations Manager Jake Stewart attended the Sept. 21 council meeting to answer questions as residents prepare for the change.

Resident James Mariano questioned the size of the carts and said he had switched to bag service because he did not want to store the two containers.

"I'm not going to put two big garbage cans in front of my house," Mariano said. "I think that looks like hell."

Stewart said Ohio Valley has no plans at this time to offer a smaller trash cart. Mariano also questioned the move from weekly to every-other-week recycling.

Anna Rashid of Fowler Street sought clarification on the company's policy for garbage that does not fit in a cart.

"If I have an extra bag or two once in a while, that's OK. What about the frequency?" Rashid asked.

Stewart said occasional extra bags will be collected, but customers who consistently place several bags outside their carts will be asked to obtain another cart. Additional carts cost $1 per month.

Other residents questioned what materials can be recycled, the purpose of the barcodes on the new carts, unwanted recycling carts, whether residents can opt out of garbage service entirely and where carts must be placed for automated collection. A concern also was raised about residents receiving conflicting information from customer service about collection of bags outside the carts.

The full Ohio Valley welcome letter explaining services is available on the city's website, Bradley said.

Also at the Sept. 21 meeting, council:

• Gave third and final reading to an ordinance adopting an updated official zoning map for the city.

• Approved a resolution supporting Neighborhood Development Services Inc. of Ravenna's application for a 2026 USDA Housing Preservation Grant.

• Authorized advertising a public hearing on a request to rezone part of the Walnut Run development from a service district to a residential district.

• Set trick-or-treat for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Heard a report from Bradley that the Pearl Street school project is nearly complete, with grass growing and parking lot striping remaining, and that the outdoor event center on West Main Street remains on schedule for completion by the end of the year.