Engineer provides updates on landfill, recycling, sewer districts

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PREBLE COUNTY — Preble County Engineer Kyle Cross reported on landfill, recycling, and sewer districts during his monthly meeting with the Preble County Commissioners.

Solid Waste Management District

•According to Cross, most events and projects have been put on hold or cancelled due to COVID-19.

•Recycling bins at National Trail with the fenced enclosure is ready to go, but with school being close it is “dead in the water.”

•Earth Day was canceled this year, as well as Earth Day presentations at school.

•The Natural Resources and Ag Education Tent at the Preble County Fair is in a “holding pattern” with representatives not knowing whether to plan for the tent or not.

•The First Quarter EPA Financial Report has been submitted.

•Contamination has been an issue at Farmer’s Market with it being closed.

•Contamination has also been an issue at Camden, with it being so bad it had to be dumped as trash.

•Assistant Director Beth Wright has been working with Rumpke and Village of Lewisburg to gather information for assessments for the fall, but it is currently a challenge with employees working remotely.

Sewer Districts

•Cross spoke with CDM Smith regarding Sewer District Six (SD6) last week and learned they working remotely until May 1, at least. Progress is being made, but it is limited according to resources. Approximately five percent of the design is complete at this point, an invoice is forthcoming for that work. There should soon be a footprint for what the plant is going to look like, so the county can start looking at where to locate the plant. They did begin surveying, which will be a two week process to get that information.

Landfill

•In March, tonnage and leachate rates both increased and out of county waste is holding steady with 90 tons for the month.

•Cross discussed late assessments with the board, explaining that he only has $5.79 outstanding in late fees. They talked about extending the payment period to 60 days instead of 30 days. Commission Clerk Kim Keller said she wasn’t sure where it set the payment period as 30 days. She said she would have to locate that first before knowing how to change the policy. Commission President Denise Robertson asked Cross to allow them to “look into it.”

•The certification for the rain shed was submitted last month, along with the annual operating report.

•The landfill is currently running on split shifts for the past four weeks, but Cross asked the board how he should move forward. He recommended having two employees still operate with split shift, one employee on limited schedule, and the rest of operation back to full strength with safety precautions in place. The board agreed, noting he is following the safety guidelines.

Pyrmont Bridge

Commissioner Chris Day asked Cross for an update on Pyrmont Bridge.

“Guardrail is being put up as we speak. They had the guardrail on the bridge yesterday – hopefully it will be able to be opened by at least the end of the week. They did request a change order for the end of the month, and I’ve already told them that wasn’t aceptable. We’re still haggling on the details of the change order, but I’ve made it quite clear that it’s well past due and there has been more than adequate time,” Cross said.

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061

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