County solid waste committee approves funds for brush grinder blades

At their meeting on August 22, Members of the Solid Waste & Recyling committee approved a $500 payment to maintain the brush grinder at the city yard waste site.

The cost of operating the site falls to the city, but, despite the city yard waste site being designated for Medford residents, people from across Taylor County routinely leave brush at it because it is unmonitored.

“We would not have a tree in Medford if you’ve seen all of the brush that we’ve ground over the past few years,” said Joe Harris, city coordinator.

Because much of the brush in the pile comes from outside of Medford, Harris requested The Solid Waste & Recycling Committee pay the city of Medford $500 to replace knives on the brush grinder. He explained the payment would be a “one time thing” because of the high quantity of brush from storm damage this summer.

Committee Chair Jim Gebauer expressed concern that giving the $500 would “open the door” for more people using the brush pile from outside the city “I honestly don’t think we could get any more,” Harris responded.

Ultimately, the committee passed a motion to give the $500 so long as the site is open to everyone in Taylor County. It is unclear how this motion fits within the cities rules, which allow people in Medford to use the site.

In other recycling news, operating prices are increasing faster than funding, and the county recycling authority could face budgeting issues within a couple of years. “What the recycling authority gets from the grant is barely keeping up,” said Kyle Noonan, county zoning department and recycling and solid waste administrator. He noted the rates charged by GFL, the company contracted with for recycling, raise by 8-12 percent each year, while there has been no indication that grant funds will increase.

Following the Solid Waste & Recycling meeting, the Zoning Committee (comprised of many of the same members) meeting was held. Noonan reported 777 notices were sent out for the septic maintenance program. August 16 was the due date to respond to the notice. Currently, 506 people, or 65%, have complied. Noonan said he expects the percentage of people who are noncompliant to be 3-5% “when it’s all said and done.”

“If they call and talk to us, we work with them,” Noonan said.