BLANCHESTER — Village officials are exploring the best way to get dumpsters for a community clean-up day.
At Thursday’s Blanchester Village Council meeting, officials discussed applying for a Clinton County solid waste grant. The grant money would be used to purchase two 40-yard dumpsters for a clean-up day in April 2023.
The dumpsters would be used to help residents in the village clean up their properties, and for the village to clean up the streets.
According to the proposal letter penned by Councilmember Josh Parks, when touching base with Rumpke and Caribou services, Rumpke came in with the lower bid of $1,030. Caribou’s bid was $1,800.
“I have discussed the timeline of leasing with Brittany (McKenzie) from Rumpke, and she assured me they will not charge more for a longer duration if the dumpsters are not full within a week,” said Parks.
According to the county website — co.clinton.oh.us — the community grant is offered to political subdivisions in the county.
“The purpose of the Community Grant program is to provide these jurisdictions with the necessary resources to implement various recycling, litter prevention, and waste reduction activities in their areas,” the website states. “The SWMD has allocated a total of $5,000 toward the 2023 Community Grant program. To learn more about this opportunity, please check out the related links listed below.”
Applicants would have to match at least 25 percent of the funds, according to the county website.
Thomas Lee of the Blanchester Parks Department questioned the need for the grant. Lee advised they had past events — including clean-up days — where Rumpke would provide dumpsters.
“We did a cleanup day where we cut up all the shrubs, the trees, and Rumpke will deliver dumpsters to the parks for free,” said Lee. “It’s part of the contract you have with Rumpke.”
Lee even said they used 40-yard dumpsters, saying they’ve been doing it for years.
Parks advised he wasn’t aware of they received free dumpsters. Carman advised there was a changeover at Rumpke in regards to who they would talk to, so they need get in contact to see how it’s set up.
