Curbside trash removal in New Franklin will be handled by a single hauler beginning Jan. 1.Residents have overwhelmingly urged council members to approve a citywide trash aggregation program since the council began discussing the proposal last month, said city leaders.On Wednesday, the seven-member council approved legislation to accept a bid from Republic Services of Ohio based in Fairview Park and granted the refuse company a contract for residential trash removal in a 6-0 vote with one abstention. They made the decision following a special meeting last week when the legislation received its second reading. More than 40 residents attended the meeting and voiced their approval.Republic was the lowest of five trash companies that submitted bids. The rates Republic offered the city for trash and recycling services will lower the amount most residents are paying by an estimated 50 percent or more, said Mayor Al Bollas.About a dozen Johns Road residents who attended the meeting told council members they were opposed to the aggregation program because they currently get better rates from Stevens Hauling and Rubbish Service in Massillon.At last week’s meeting, 30 people spoke in favor of the single-hauler option; 24 asked that the issue not be placed on the ballot; and three said they had no opinion on whether it should be approved by voters, Council President Joseph Parsons said.On Wednesday, Councilman Gerald Hess withdrew an ordinance he sponsored to place the issue on the ballot after he said 95 percent of the people he spoke with, either by phone or email, said they favored the aggregation proposal and thought council should approve it without a vote.Hess, chairman of council’s finance committee, said he heard from about 171 people after hand-delivering 500 personal letters to his Ward 2 constituents seeking their opinions.“I was skeptical of a one-hauler pickup,” Hess wrote.“However, since we began looking into the pros and cons, I now think it will be a win-win situation for both you and the city,” he said in his letter. Bollas estimated that by aggregating the city’s trash removal, residents will save an estimated $600,000 annually. He also said reducing the number of trash trucks will save wear and tear on the city’s roads. Refuse trucks and recycling trucks will collect trash only two days per week, one day north of Center Road and the other day south of the road.Republic, as a bid requirement, will remove trash from city-owned property, including the fire and service departments, city hall and parks for free.Residents can choose from one of three options for trash pickup. Unlimited trash collection will cost residents $11.20 per month the first year with a gradual increase of $1.41 over the life of the five-year-contract. Or, residents may choose a 96-gallon limited cart service with purchased 30-gallon bags at $9.95 a month. Customers who have limited refuse can opt for a single 30-gallon bag for $2 a month plus $1.35 per bag. All options will include a container for recycled items. Residents who will be away from home for more than a few weeks at a time will be able to call Republic and request their service be suspended while they are away.The contract stipulates that after five years the city can opt to renew it for another five years, Bollas said.Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.