A potential recycling service collaboration between Pulaski County and the Town of Winamac was covered at Monday night’s town council meeting.
Town Manager Brad Zellers told members that he and some other town officials have been coordinating with Recycling Center Manager Brad Bonnell about the matter.
He noted that Bonnell has reported an increase in the number of people who seem to be utilizing the recycling center since Winamac switched their service over to garbage pick-up only.
As previously covered, town officials approached the Pulaski County Commissioners in February with a proposal to team up with the county to allow citizens in Winamac to have recyclables picked up. He noted it would likely be picked up every other week for residents, with an established “a” route and “b” route that would alternate.
He summarized the proposal for council members and meeting attendees.
Zellers stated, “The county has part-time employees who would like more hours. If we, as the town, would take those employees and put them on our payroll for four days a month, then we would pay them their workers comp.”
He added that the town would cover costs for fuel, dumpster rental and insurance but specific figures for those items had not been determined at the time of the meeting.
However, Zellers said that initial estimates indicate this plan would result in the town saving more money than if they had continued with their existing contract that offered curb side recycling pick-up along with garbage pick-up.
Zellers said if they do choose to go with this collaborative effort, they’re going to make sure they don’t have similar problems with trash contamination. He said residents will be notified about what’s expected when they come to pick up the recycling bins.
Zellers explained, “There will be a letter attached with the procedure to follow on how the programs going to work. The first few times they’re throwing garbage in it, it’ll be a simple phone call from us and if they continue, we pull their cans.”
Councilwoman Judy Heater noted that this system would make it easier to keep track of the individual offenders and Zellers agreed.
No official actions were taken at Monday’s meeting, but members seemed to be receptive to the idea. Council President Tom Murray said that if they give it another month, it will allow them time to see how many people are using the
