Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The path to the recycling stations behind the KC Depot has been a bumpy one for the last couple of years.
Tuesday, the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board of directors approved paving the area for citizens who bring recyclable materials.
NiBlock's asphalt bid, for a 3-inch base and 2 inches of asphalt, was the lowest and approved Tuesday. Other bidders were Ranger Materials, $8,567, and Phend and Brown, $9,200.
The district accepts all manner of chemicals in all kinds of containers and sometimes it takes a laboratory test to figure out contents.
Studebaker said one mysterious bucket with an unknown substance has been stored for several months in the hazardous materials building. It began smoking after Safety Clean representatives opened it and couldn't identify the contents.
The district has a contract with Safety Clean to remove hazardous materials. A chemical test decided the smoking stuff was a "neutral substance." A laboratory test indicated the two 5-gallon buckets were full of 98 percent pure nitric acid.
"I am amazed by the things people store in their houses," Studebaker said. "One woman brought in industrial-strength cleaner. She'd just bought the house and the last owners had left it there."
Studebaker advised the board there will be no more jail trustee workers available unless the district can provide them with workman's compensation coverage.
One trustee was hurt on a another job site recently and the sheriff's department will have to cover the medical bills.
Lawyer Mike Armey said the district's insurance company may provide coverage for temporary help, all the district needs to do is pay the premiums.
Studebaker said extra hands are needed during Saturday collections.
She also asked the board's permission to hire a part-time office worker and was advised to include the position in next year's budget.
The district board of directors includes: county commissioners Brad Jackson, Avis Gunter and Ron Truex; county councilman John Kinsey; Warsaw mayor Ernie Wiggins; Warsaw city councilman George Clemens; and WInona Lake town councilman David Delp.
