Ashtabula Plans to Expand Citywide Recycling and Replace Failed Garbage Truck

Ashtabula’s city manager is moving forward on two sanitation priorities: finishing citywide recycling cart distribution and replacing a garbage truck that suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure, potentially as soon as the next council meeting. Recycling Expansion Back on Track City Manager James Timonere told council during the June 1 pre-council session that the city intends to use general fund money to complete recycling cart delivery to the half of the city that still lacks them. The move follows a grant denial that had previously put the project on hold. Timonere said a legal review by the finance director and city solicitor confirmed that while enterprise fund money cannot move into the general fund, general fund dollars can legally support enterprise fund projects. Total cart costs are estimated at approximately $270,000, with an additional $20,000 to $30,000 for delivery and printed materials. The city is also in discussions with Ashtabula County’s solid waste district, which previously contributed about $20,000 for door-to-door delivery and printed materials during the last rollout. That request is expected to go to the district’s July meeting. Timonere said he did not yet have a delivery timeline from the cart supplier. He noted the previous order took two to three months to fulfill. Garbage Truck Replacement Sought A city garbage truck experienced a catastrophic failure involving proprietary vehicle software, and Timonere said repair costs could exceed $10,000 with no certainty of a lasting fix given the truck’s age and condition. The city has identified a used replacement locally, priced at approximately $63,500. The truck has been fully overhauled, the engine was replaced around 23,000 miles ago, and the rear collection unit has been repainted and refitted with new components. The chassis has just over 60,000 miles. Timonere said the truck also needs a cable attachment system for dumpster pickup, which is included in the price. He said both the truck purchase and the recycling expansion will be brought to council at the next meeting with the necessary transfer ordinances prepared. Route Changes Planned Once new dual-compartment trucks are eventually acquired, the city plans to redesign routes so that garbage and recycling are collected on the same day. Current recycling-equipped areas would consolidate to one Friday route, with the rest of the city on alternating Fridays, and garbage routes would shift to Monday through Thursday. Residents currently without recycling service can put out up to three 30-gallon containers or nine bags of garbage weekly. Once carts are distributed, the standard allotment becomes 64 gallons, with an additional cart available for $10 per month.