Staff writer
Marion County has two viable options for a recycling program: take over all recycling in the county and really commit to it or get out of it entirely, Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt told county commissioners Monday.
The county shouldn’t do it halfheartedly, he said.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he would hate to drop the county’s weekend pickup program because it would take away an option. Participation in the program has increased steadily, he said.
“The bottom line is it’s the right thing to do,” Holub said.
Commissioner Bob Hein said residents had told him they supported recycling but suggested a program through a contractor.
The City of Peabody has Stutzman Refuse Disposal Inc. collect recyclables curbside. The company recently switched to a system where recyclables do not have to be sorted by the resident; everything goes in one bin.
“I can’t tell you how easy it is,” Commission Chairman Randy Dallke said.
Holub said he would support using a contractor for recycling, but only if it could be done without increasing expenses for county taxpayers.
Dallke said he would speak with someone from Stutzman Refuse Disposal Inc. to determine whether a countywide program would be feasible.
In other business:
- Dallke shared residents’ concerns about what they thought was excessive tree cutting at Marion County Park and Lake.
- Engineering firm Kirkham Michael is not interested in bidding to inspect pipeline crossings at county roads if it requires setting an hourly rate, Road and Bridge Superintendent John Summerville said. Commissioners will take action on inspection Friday.
- Summerville met with commissioners in closed session for five minutes to discuss personnel at Holub’s request. No action was taken on return to open session.
- Communication and Emergency Management Director Michele Abbott met with commissioners in closed session for 20 minutes to discuss personnel. Abbott will advertise for applicants to fill a position that will be vacated because of retirement.
- Transfer Station truck driver Don Keazer changed from full-time to part-time. Commissioners approved changing his pay from $1,894 per month to $10.93 per hour. Keazer is retiring, but will work part-time until the county fills the position.
- Schmidt will advertise for a part-time secretary for the Noxious Weed Department. He met with commissioners for 10 minutes in closed session to discuss personnel.
Commissioners will meet Friday for month-end business but not Monday because of a lack of agenda items.