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DPW site proposed for recycling center
by John Morris EAST TAWAS - East Tawas Department of Public Works property may soon be the site of an area recycling center.
At its meeting Monday, the East Tawas City Council voiced no opposition to using the DPW site for a proposed Tawas area recycling center.
East Tawas City Manager Ron Leslie said a recycling committee comprised of officials from surrounding municipalities and citizens met on Nov. 18 and “continued the discussion of a possible solution to the community’s need for recycling.”
He said, based on previous information from the city of West Branch and from Waste Management, the committee felt that a central location, like what is set up in West Branch, “would be the best option.” Leslie said Tom Lixey, East Tawas’ DPW director, is researching costs for having electricity connected to two recycling compactors proposed to be needed at the site.
Leslie also said committee members are working to get volunteers to oversee and operate the compactors.
“Because East Tawas has a very good setup at the Department of Public Works with power available and the area already fenced in, everyone thought the East Tawas site would be the best option,” Leslie said. “We would like to open mid- to late-January and begin by opening the area for approximately four hours each Saturday.”
Leslie said the plan would be to follow West Branch’s example and issue cards to residents and businesses of the participating municipalities.
Who those participating municipalities are and who ultimately would pay for use of the proposed recycling center remains to be determined, Leslie said. He said the initial thought is to make the proposed recycling center available for persons residing within the Tawas Area Schools district. It is also unclear if those paying for the facility would be through a user fee card or the costs borne by the municipalities.
Leslie said, should the user fee card be determined as the way to proceed, the costs would be minimal. He said the cost for West Branch to operate its recycling center is about $1,000 a year.
“In the future, a card fee would have to be established,” he said, “but keep it low enough for everyone to use it. We’re trying to get people to use it (a recycling center).”
In other matters Monday, the city council:
Awarded the tree trimming and removal contract to Tree-Scape of Hale, which submitted the low bid of $3,400.
Leslie said, should the user fee card be determined as the way to proceed, the costs would be minimal. He said the cost for West Branch to operate its recycling center is about $1,000 a year.
“In the future, a card fee would have to be established,” he said, “but keep it low enough for everyone to use it. We’re trying to get people to use it (a recycling center).”
In other matters Monday, the city council:
Awarded the tree trimming and removal contract to Tree-Scape of Hale, which submitted the low bid of $3,400.
Amended its street lighting contract with Consumers Energy to include a new light at the Alice Street and Airport Road intersection.
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