109 Board returns to daytime garbage pickup By JOE REDMON Chairman Bim Wardrip gaveled a special called meeting of the Meade County Solid Waste & Recycle (MCSW&R) board into session Oct. 3. Members present included Jim Harris, Heber Burchett and Shannon Loose. Board members Packy Vessells and Mark Hubbard were unable to attend. Magistrate Chism attended to observe. The agenda included six items, first among them a discussion to return garbage collection to a daytime pickup schedule. In his motion to return to daytime pickup, Loose commented the yearly savings would be substantial – over $100,000. The new coordinator, Mark Gossett, backed this contention, stating that several positions could then be eliminated. There has been concern about the ability of the MCSW&R to process dumpsters after hours. Harris commented that night operations hadn’t proved successful or unsuccessful, but he was against changing policy simply because some employees didn’t like it. He cited indications that night operations were inherently safer due to less traffic and the ability of tippers to better observe oncoming traffic. After a brief discussion about the need to retain good employees, the board voted 3-1, Harris objecting. (Chairman Wardrip votes only to break ties.) The board further voted favorably to rent/purchase a skid loader and new communications equipment. Loose suggested the present phone system is obsolete, repair parts are unavailable. A motion to update computers and software was tabled for future consideration. Accounts deemed uncollectible were directed to a collections agency for action. The board met in closed session to discuss personnel and legal issues, returning to public session, voting to take the discussed personnel action. The final agenda item (“Contact Fiscal Court”) sparked a discussion whether this was necessary. 109 Board attorney Bob Heleringer reiterated his stated position that the 109 Board, in spite of local ordinance, doesn’t need to request rate increases through Fiscal Court. He referred the board to KRS 109 which he contended, once established by ordinance, separated the 109 Board from Fiscal Court. Harris stated he didn’t think it was time to ask for more money, as this board hadn’t yet made enough effort to streamline operations. Other board members generally felt it was a good thing to talk more with Fiscal Court and voted to reinitiate discussions at the soonest possible time with Fiscal Court representatives, 3-1, Harris objecting. After the meeting, board members were asked whether an increase in rates was inevitable, given that insurance rates had doubled and fuel costs had soared during the previous year. Some candidly stated yes, while others were convinced that more could be done to make operations more efficient. “Poor management isn’t an excuse for higher rates,” commented one.
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