Aug 19, 2005 By Angie Santello 4 min read

POINT MARION – Barbara O’Neil told borough council Wednesday that it’s bad business for trash to collect outside her Church Street restaurant since she alleges the borough’s trash collector was late on collections 10 times throughout the summer. “On 90-degree days with the garbage sitting there for two days, it begins to smell and attract flies and maggots. Everyone says it is disgusting,” O’Neil said during a follow-up phone interview. “It’s bad business.”

Food preparation at O’Neil’s business Apple Annie’s results in a dumpster full of trash each week, thereby having timely trash pickup is imperative, the business owner said. Her problems have escalated as of May, she said.

“When you work six days a week, sometimes 12 hours a day, you need a dependable trash collector. We’re trying to do right by the town and keep a clean place,” O’Neil said. “I’m trying to run a business and I cannot have garbage around. It turns you off as a customer.

“If you’re not getting the service you are supposed to be getting, you should have the right to get rid of the company and the right to keep them if they’re doing a good job,” she added.

But because the whole town is involved, the situation is complicated, she said.

A representative of the trash contractor was not present at the Wednesday night council meeting.

Council President Ted Shaffer said council has received a number of complaints about the garbage service this year.

The Sept. 7 work session will be another opportunity for a representative of the company to show to discuss the complaints with the council as well as a renewal of the company’s contract, Shaffer said. The 46-month contract expires on Sept. 1.

“A meeting should be the next step to see where we stand as far as pickup,” said Councilman Alfred Dubois.

Meanwhile, the council intends to enforce the town’s recycling ordinance by distributing updated brochures and magnets that remind residents of recycling items, dates and times.

“We need to see that the mandate for the program is enforced,” Shaffer said. A violation of the recycling ordinance is punishable with a fine of up to $300, he noted.

Shaffer previously voiced complaints about many residents failing to participate in the recycling program.

The council also conducted the following business:

– Listened to the borough manager’s report delivered by current borough secretary and treasurer Art Strimel. Strimel was appointed to the position by a unanimous vote at an Aug. 3 special meeting.

He will receive a monthly pay of $900 per month for performing the duties required of both positions.

Shaffer said the new position was necessary for “better cooperation with the employees of the borough.” Councilwoman Marguerite Kennedy noted that the manager will schedule the duties of borough employees.

Strimel urged residents who see an issue that needs to be addressed to contact him.

The borough has been without a manager for around a year, after Barry Clemmer was dismissed from the position in July of 2004.

“The council felt Art was the best man for the job locally because he has done an outstanding job as secretary/treasurer for the borough,” Shaffer said, adding that Strimel is well versed in contacts for the chemical suppliers for the water and sewage plants, a part of his duties.

– Heard from Mary Murphy with Friends of the Park who stressed the importance of additional security measures and additional police patrols at the community park. Someone reported to her that the lower pavilion was the site of beer parties. She encouraged residents to continue to report incidents such as those.

– Met in executive session for contract negotiations with the Teamsters.