Garbage pickup fee increases in Athens

By Casey Krautkramer

Lisa Czech, Athens village clerk, informed the Athens village board at its February 27 meeting that Waste Management has increased its monthly garbage and recycling pickup fee from $13.90 to $14.60 each month for village of Athens residents due to a fuel surcharge.

She said Waste Management will also no longer provide special bulk garbage pickup because it’s not part of its fiveyear contract with the village of Athens that lasts until the end of 2024.

In other news:

• The village of Athens will pay $400 to Jody Drexler of Stratford to cut down six trees and trim one tree at 420 Elm Street before this summer’s Elm Street reconstruction project begins. The village received four bids for the Elm Street tree removal project. The village public works crew will clean up the mess left from the tree removal.

• Athens Village Board members voted to sell road base from the Elm/Schlegel Street project to Switlick & Sons for $10 per yard.

Randy Decker, chairman of the village board streets committee, said during his committee’s February 21 meeting that Switlick & Sons would like to start road construction on Elm Street on May 1 if weather permits. Elm Street is located north of Athens Elementary School.

He said Athens School District and Fischer Bus will be invited to the Elm Street construction planning meeting to work out the student bus pickup schedule during road construction.

• Village board members approved the purchase of 24 hanging flower baskets for the street light poles in downtown Athens this summer for $721.27. Village resident Tracy Westfall will water the flowers.

• The village board awarded the Pine Street LED light project to Van Ert for $9,655.

• Village board members accepted the low bid from Jason Hein to replace the village garage service door for $1,850.43 installed.

• The village board approved The Hall bowling alley contract with couple Aaron Doll and Michelle Henrichs with a 3 percent increase in rent. The annual contract starts on July 1.

• Village board members accepted a final pay request form Viking Painting for $7,640 for the water tower painting project.

• The village board approved a request from John Welbes for an extension to June 1 which will allow him more time to obtain a conditional use permit.

• Village board members approved Extraterritorial Certified Survey Maps for property owned by Brian Heldt in the town of Rietbrock as presented by Rivernow

side Surveying.

• The village of Athens will celebrate Arbor Day which is on April 28.

• Village cleanup will be on Friday, May 12.