Shadyside considering steps to curb rodent population
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SHADYSIDE, Oh. -- Shadyside village council is considering a potential ordinance to mandate trash pickup from those who receive water from the village.
The ordinance, which was floated during Monday’s council meeting, would tie residents’ water and trash bills together. This means everyone receiving water will also receive trash pickup service, according to Mayor Mike Meintel.
He said part of this potential new ordinance will require residents to have a secure container for their trash pickups. Part of the reasoning for this, including why the ordinance is being floated around, is to help curve what Meintel says is a massive rodent problem.
"The west side is inundated with raccoons and the east side is inundated with rats," Meintel said. "The only way we can combat this, is to cut off the food supply to the animals."
He added that nearly 1,800 residents receive water from the village while roughly 1,400 residents receive trash pickup.
"Where’s that trash going?" Meintel asked.
This isn’t completely new thinking for the council either. Council member John Longwell added he was already looking at various ways to address the trash issue in the village before he was even sworn in.
In addition to serving as a council member, Longwell also owns various properties lived in by tenants. He said his tenants have complained multiple times about non-renters using their complex’s dumpsters, causing them to overflow trash onto the ground and attract rodents.
"We’ve heard of other landlords in the village that don’t pay for their tenants’ trash, which I think is very important if you’re smart. But then somebody moves out six months later and the basement is full of trash because people live like that, unfortunately," Longwell said. "They know they’re not going to be there forever because they’re probably not paying their rent to begin with, and then they’re getting booted out. But somebody’s gotta deal with pulling the trash out of the basement."
He added this can also lead to rat and bug problems.
"Some people might not like what we have to do, but to try to move forward with a cleaner village. We’re going to have to do this," Longwell said. "And we’re not the only village or city that does it."
Council encouraged all residents to attend the event.
Shadyside village council additionally passed an ordinance to extend village solicitor Kelly Kotur's contract for two more years during Monday’s meeting.
Council member Brandon Parr said he believes Kotur is worth every penny the village pays her. In addition to the extension, she will receive $19,200 a year with a $50 per month additional.
Kotur began her current position at the start of 2025 and also serves as Powhatan Point's village solicitor since 2023. In addition to working for both villages, she is part of the Davis and Kotur Law Firm.
She said she enjoys being Shadyside's solicitor because the council and Meintel are good to work with.
"It’s an enjoyable position and Shadyside has a really great group, not just the council, not just the mayor, but all the village employees are enjoyable to work with," Kotur said. "It feels like a nice team in the village."
She added the job keeps her on her toes because she never knows what legal issues may come up for the village.
"It’s definitely a fun job. There’s all kinds of interesting legal issues that come up, so you never really know what you might research or what you’ll be doing," Kotur said. "It’s been enjoyable getting to meet people from both communities, actually, but meeting people in the community, the other members of council and elected officials."
While looking toward the future, Kotur said she is looking forward to whatever new challenges arise for the village. She added she wants to continue to make the village the best village possible.
Council member Melanie Haswell said Kotur has been an enormous help for the village since becoming the solicitor in 2025.
"We ask her questions and it doesn’t take her any time to get us an answer. She’s been awesome. She’s helped us out immensely, and I greatly appreciate her," Haswell said. Parr agreed.
Meintel said she is doing a fantastic job for the village and has gone above and beyond for the village.
"She loves Shadyside, she’s one of us now," Meintel said. "People just don’t understand the work that she puts in behind the scenes for us."
He added he's glad the village will have her around for at least a couple more years and wanted to express his gratitude toward her for everything she has done.
Council then announced a spaghetti dinner benefit for longtime community member Susan Cunningham will be taking place from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday at Lincoln Ave United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 3838 Lincoln Ave. Meals at $12 and the event will have various raffles.
Cunningham is a 64 years old resident who was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.