Follansbee officials seek to cut sanitation costs

Follansbee Council has decided to stop collecting trash from business Dumpsters and will raise fees for bulk trash collections from residents, now set at $75 for pickup truck loads and $150 for dump truck loads. This measure aims to counteract the sanitation department's $47,000 loss reported in the first three months of the fiscal year. City Manager Chris Manack-Stover will draft guidelines for special pickups for the council's review on November 3. Vito Cutrone, a local business owner, proposed that the city consider privatizing its garbage collection, which could eliminate the need for city-maintained trucks and allow sanitation workers to focus on other tasks. The city is currently in its annual fall cleanup, permitting residents to dispose of bulky items on regular garbage days.

In related discussions, 5th Ward Councilman Joe Kafton advocated for hiring an additional police officer to mitigate the department's $9,000 monthly overtime costs. Deputy Police Chief Lester Skinner expressed concerns about potential officer turnover due to competitive wages offered by other agencies. Council members are weighing budget constraints against the need for increased personnel and services.