Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
And the survey says ... Kosciusko County residents want a permanent household hazardous waste drop-off site.
Of the 276 surveys returned to the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District regarding a household hazardous waste site, 94 percent were in favor of such a facility. Only 6 percent were against one.
Wednesday, members of the solid waste district city advisory council investigated a site at 220 S. Union St., Warsaw, not only for household hazardous waste drop-off, but also for new offices and conference rooms for the district.
Current property owner Tom Buchan told the city advisory council the building was completely renovated three years ago and rewired. It also has a brand new furnace.
There would be meeting rooms, offices, educational rooms, storage rooms, a kitchen and a large garage. Outside there is a loading dock that will have to be excavated.
"It's exactly what we're looking for," SWMD director Marsha Eikenberry told the advisory council. She said there would be a lot of savings between having a permanent facility for household hazardous waste collection and a once-a-year collection day.
If the district were to move their offices to the building and have collection at the site, one of the recycling stations in Warsaw could be moved to Pierceton and another would be eliminated.
Both the office building and the Quonset hut behind it would be leased to the district for $1,600 per month for two years with the option to buy the property from Buchan after two years.
The current district office is being rented for $550 per month from Terry Klondaris.
Under the current contract the district has with Stafford Solid Waste, Stafford would provide a man to operate the facilities as well as provide a forklift and a baler.
Sue Studebaker, education coordinator for the district, said the building would provide more room for educational activities.
The city advisory council unanimously approved recommending the district board consider the building.
At the SWMD board meeting, Eikenberry told the board about the building and that the city advisory council recommended the site. However, no formal proposal will be made until the May 17 meeting at 1 p.m.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins told Eikenberry she will have to find out the cost of making the building accessible for the handicapped.
In other business, the SWMD board heard a presentation by Dennis Cannan, DMC Laser, Plymouth, regarding cartridge recycling.
Eikenberry reported R.R. Donnelley and Sons wants to donate a household hazardous waste storage building. The building won't cost the district anything except to have an electrician unhook the electricity and have it moved. A concrete pad would need to be poured, the electricity would be need to be hooked up and the building fenced. The building, she said, is worth approximately $25,000-$30,000.
Household Hazardous Waste Day is May 12 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Zimmer parking lot.
Earth Day "Eggstravaganza" is April 22 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eikenberry requested to have health insurance. She will have a formal proposal for the board next month. Since she is not on the county payroll, she can not be on the county insurance.
The Web site for the district is www.kcrecycler.com
District board members are county commissioners Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Eddie Creighton; Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Warsaw councilman Joe Thallemer, Winona Lake councilman David Delp and county councilwoman Kathryn Teel.
