Recycling initiatives project approved
#REQUIRED#
Friday, November 07, 2008
< -- Return to News
WINTERSVILLE - The Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Solid Waste Authority Board of Trustees Thursday approved a recycling initiatives competitive funding project for 2009.
But the approval came only after discussion and debate on how soon the program will start and if it will be able to be used to eliminate large illegal dump sites in both counties.
"I am proposing this program because we simply don't have the manpower to run the cleanup campaigns. We can offer financial and technical assistance to the communities and townships but no manpower," said Patrick Lanaghan, executive director.
Lanaghan said each project would be limited to $5,000 in maximum funding.
"I hope we can get involved at some point to help clean up the illegal dump sites in the city of Steubenville. I believe we are here to to be able to use resources to address those issues. We have cleaned up three or four illegal dump sites in my city but we have about three very large illegal dump sites that we cannot clean up ourselves," said board member and Steubenville City Manager Bruce Williams.
"Our recently approved operational plan has language written in it about cleaning up illegal dump sites, but we need a process in place.
"We are not there yet. We need to take small steps until we get off the ground," replied Lanaghan.
"We need to address at some point the illegal dump sites. And we need to become more involved in enforcement against these sites. If we are limited to $5,000 per grant, that limits us in what we can do at these large illegal dump sites," noted Williams.
"It is all in the new plan. But we must start with baby steps and the plan allows us to expand," added Mark Thomas, board chairman.
"We have a list of all illegal dump sites in Jefferson and Belmont counties and they can be cleaned up with a $5,000 grant each. And the applications for these grants must be received by the solid waste authority by Feb. 15," according to Lanaghan.
In other matters, the board learned the national economic downturn soon may affect the Apex Landfill and the tipping fees the landfill pays to the solid waste authority.
"The tipping fees increased from $136,963 in August to $161, 571 in September," reported fiscal officer Dave Hays.
But Ross Patten, chairman of Apex International, said solid waste is decreasing across the country, "by 12 to 15 percent and the construction and demolition waste at the Apex Landfill is also decreasing."
The trustees approved a new two-year tipping fee contract with Apex that will keep the current fees in place.
Also, the trustees accepted a report from Cleamens Nelson Consultants to establish a salary schedule for the solid waste authority employees starting in January. But the board delayed any action on setting a new salary schedule until the December meeting.
Thomas thanked the board for, "an excellent and awesome awards banquet last month. And Patrick has already told us that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved our 15-year operational plan.
"That is a major milestone for the community and a testament to our executive director, staff and this board," said Thomas.
In other business:
Lanaghan asked for and received a new $40,000 advertising line item in the 2009 budget.
Lanaghan reported the recent hazardous waste material campaign held at Jefferson Community College saw 30,000 pounds of hazardous material collected along with 91 propane cylinders.
"We had people stop there with materials that had been in the garage for the past 50 years," he noted.
Lanaghan recommended the Authority hold a hazardous waste collection in both counties in 2009 along with an e-cycling event.
The board scheduled its next meting for 5 p=m. Dec. 11 at the solid waste authority's new offices at the Plaza West in St. Clairsville.
Thomas welcomed Ginny Favede, a Belmont County commissioner-elect, who has expressed an interest in the solid waste authority
< -- Return to News
