STONELICK TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Stonelick Township on Saturday released detailed guidance for residents on disposing of spoiled food and storm debris as cleanup continues from severe thunderstorms that tore through the township last week, snapping trees and knocking out power across the area.
The township said residents can place spoiled food from power outages in their regular weekly trash pickup. For woody debris, the township asked residents not to leave branches and downed limbs at the curb, in ditches or along road rights-of-way, saying maintenance crews are working to clear debris from roads and rights-of-way for the foreseeable future.
Leaving debris in those areas can obstruct drivers’ sightlines, pose a hazard if it sits too close to the roadway, and clog ditches and culverts, creating the potential for flooding, the township said.
Residents whose homes or outbuildings were struck by falling trees should contact their insurance company to see whether their policy covers removal and cleanup, according to the township. The township also suggested residents check with their insurer about coverage for property damage, tree removal and spoiled food losses tied to the storms.
For managing woody debris on their own property, the township listed several options: stockpiling wood for firewood, chipping or mulching it, hiring a tree or landscaping contractor, composting, or open burning with a permit from the local fire department. The township said some waste haulers will accept small amounts of brush if it is cut into short lengths and bundled, and it urged residents to contact their hauler directly about specific requirements.
The township also published a list of self-haul yard waste drop-off sites for residents who want to haul debris themselves, advising them to call ahead to confirm fees, accepted materials and size limits. The sites include the Rumpke Union Township Waste Depot at 5180 Champions Way in Milford, Bzak Landscaping at 931 Round Bottom Road in Milford, Ohio Mulch at 850 Round Bottom Road in Milford, which the township said accepts wood under 10 inches in diameter for free, and Siler and Son’s at 1275 Ohio Pike in Amelia.
The township said it expects to have additional debris-removal resources available for residents as soon as early next week, acknowledging that many households are dealing with multiple downed trees on their property and that the cleanup process can feel overwhelming.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Stonelick Township.