It is trash hauling contract time again.  The request for bids were put out for the removal of New Carlisle waste & yard debris. In the bid was the requirement of stickers for disposing of yard waste.  The majority of the people prefer the sticker over the use of purchased bags, so it was part of the bidding request.
Representatives from Allied, Rumpke, & Waste Management were on hand to answer council’s questions about their bids.  Council member Rick Lowrey was quick to notice a franchise fee being added to the various contracts.  The franchise fee is how some cities receive money for allowing that specific company permission to do business in town.  It is a common practice in many cities like Tipp, Troy, & Jamestown. 
The premise is the fee goes straight to the street department to pay for repairs to streets & curbs caused by the big trash trucks.  Rick Lowrey said he’s sees it as a tax.  Just one more thing the people will have to pay.  “We just passed a street levy.  We have a school levy coming up.  I cannot vote for it.” 
City Manager Kim Jones asked if there were other ideas to pay for the damage the trucks do.  The representative from Waste Management said that his company does it a few different ways, with the franchise fee & using the company’s insurance.  The difficulty comes from proving the damage was done by their trucks.  Other large vehicles, snowplows & dump trucks, also damage the curbs & roads. 
When the discussion ensued, a work session was set up.  The public is invited to come, listen & speak up because this will be the trash service they are paying for.  It was requested the representatives come back for this meeting also.
It was realized that one received bid did not have the sticker for yard waste included.  The question arose on the legality of using that bid.  The Lawyer, Miquel Pedraza said the bid was not legal but could be approved if the Mayor felt the inclusion necessary.   Rick Lowrey asked council to only consider the two conforming bids.  That vote was approved 5-2 (McGlothin, Ethan Reynolds - nay) for only using the two. 
The current carrier is Republic but because of the lack of sticker inclusion, they will not be in the discussion on May 24th at 6:30 at the shelter house.
The Cemetery ordinance was approved with a 5-2 vote (Reynolds, Rick Lowrey - nay).  Most increases were in the $50 to $100 range, some wording was changed.  Decorations to the grave site that are touching the ground will be removed ten days after the observance of Memorial Day.  Decorations placed on the headstone or headstone base that do not interfere with weed eating & mowing can remain year round.
Relay for Life representative Suzie Wilson spoke to council about Cancer & how the relay works.  Teams join together & raise money to support the American Cancer Society.  The day long event is packed with friends, food, & fun.  Most come to it expecting to spend the night out in tents.  This year the event starts Friday June 8th at 6 pm at Tecumseh High School.  It is a celebration of survivors.  All they ask is that you come bring 10 people, donate 10 minutes, & spend $10.  Their goal this year is $25,000.
Thanks were given for the members of Colonial Baptist Church for their beautification efforts to the city.  Jones wrote a letter to Pastor Larry Marvel praising the group’s efforts for painting signs in Willowick Park & the Waste Water Facility.  For cleaning out planter beds, painting the newly installed shelter along Tecumseh Trail, & laying pavers on the walkways to that shelter.
Jones warned citizens of peddlers coming to their door.  The group making the rounds claim to be representatives of either Vectren or DP& L, trying to get you to switch carriers.  That may or may not be a good thing.  Some have said there is a hidden $150 fee for the switch.  But, ALL solicitors who come to your door must have a license issued by the City of New Carlisle, on their person, that they can and should show you.  If not, please report these individuals to a deputy.
Twin Creek auction was in the paper recently.  June 8th will be the first & June 22nd will be the one that unsold properties will be made available to the city.  The purchase price to the city is only $50 each to switch over the deeds.  Hopefully, by the end of July those properties can go on sale for the city.  The back taxes that they are listed in the paper for $18,000 - $19,000 will be null after the city takes possession and will pro - rate from the time the city takes over.
Race for Literacy is Saturday June 9th at 9 am in Springfield’s Snyder Park.