As Ironton’s spring cleanup effort continues, city administrators are considering the fate of future cleanup programs in the city.

Wednesday, May 10, 2000

As Ironton’s spring cleanup effort continues, city administrators are considering the fate of future cleanup programs in the city.

After taking several budget hits last year with the loss of every major industry in the city, Ironton’s additional services might cost money the city cannot afford, Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary said.

"We want to stress to the community that this is a service to help all the residents clean their properties up," Cleary said. "But, in the past years’ cleanups, we have seen abuse of this effort by people who have actually torn down garages and outbuildings and then expected the city to haul all of the debris generated by the demolition," Cleary explained. "Abuse of this service, of course, drives up the cost. Although this service is free to the residents, it’s not free for the city."

While there are no immediate plans to cancel the fall cleanup, or any other city services, budgetary concerns are foremost on the minds of city officials – and budget cuts likely will be necessary, officials said.

"We’re going to have to take a hard look, and it’s not going to be a popular look, at how much work we are doing for the people of this town and whether or not we plan or can afford to continue doing that work," said Leo Ulery, Ironton City Council and finance committee member. "There are people who want you to haul trees and furniture off their property. There are people taking advantage (of this service) and we can’t afford to do it anymore."

Related areas the city will examine include the tree landfill and areas where dumping seems to be frequently occurring, Cleary said.

"After the spring cleanup, we’re going to hang several ‘no dumping’ signs," Cleary told finance committee members last week. "The tree landfill is another area that is grossly abused, and we already have plans to clean that up and get some better enforcement going."

The twice yearly cleanups are a great way to get the city into shape and administrators hope to keep them going for several years to come, Cleary said, adding that it will take the residents’ help to do so.

"We hope that the residents realize that this is an additional service, one that is above and beyond the regular trash pickup service," Cleary said. "It does cost to have this service, although the residents do not see that cost reflected in their bills, and we hope that no one will abuse it so that it can continue."