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December 22, 2004
Beatty landfill a real dump
By RICHARD STEPHENS
"It's starting to look like a dump out there," complained Bass, apparently with no pun intended. There has always been an area at the transfer station site where people could pile large items like major appliances or tree trimmings that they could not lift into the bins. A county employee stationed at the dump would later use a loader to put these items into the bins and onto the trucks, and would clean the area two or three times a week. Evidently that employee has been gone about a month, and not only have these types of items piled up, but some people have begun dumping regular garbage in with the bulk items. The result is quite a mess. "It's the worst I've seen it in years," complained Bob Revert. "The county leases it out. Whoever it is, is not doing their job." Bass wanted to know if anyone is being paid for the work that is not being done. He also suggested that it might be possible to lower the position of the bins so that people could dump into them more easily. Board members asked the town secretary if she would contact the county to find out what officials know about the situation at the transfer site. In other Beatty news: • Revert spoke to the board, and the limited audience present, about the Valley Electric rate increase coming in February. He explained that the co-op's new contract for power would keep the rate steady for three years, so there should be no further increases during that period. The increase is the result of a surge in the cost of electricity. Valley Electric is actually absorbing a portion of the increased cost rather than pass it all on to customers. • Town Secretary Mary Ball asked what the board wanted to do about the problem of Community Center renters leaving the building unlocked. Bert Bertram suggested that the matter be added to the agreement users of the building sign, and suggested there might be some forfeiture of deposit money if the building is left unsecured. The matter will be put on the agenda of a future meeting. • Members received plaques thanking them for their service on the board. This was Chairman Rick Wilson's last full meeting before his term expires. Kay Handy will be seated as the newest member of the board in January. |
