Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake may scrap its garbage service, contract with a hauler and possibly adopt a curbside recycling program.
The proposals are aimed at possibly saving some money and reducing the waste stream.
The town began providing free garbage service in 1991, but is looking at options because of the cost and the fear of increased landfill fees.
Winona Lake isn't the only town looking at the garbage issue. A week ago, Warsaw announced plans to tighten its policy on trash collection.
In both instances, officials cited the sale of Ransbottom Landfill and the resulting uncertainty about future landfill fees.
"We don't know what's going to happen there. It's one less thing to worry about," Winona Lake councilman Harold Dunn said about getting out of the garbage collection service.
According to a preliminary estimate, street department superintendent Kim Endicott said the town may be able to save some money by switching to a private hauler. He said contractors have become more competitive since the early 1990s.
The town also wants to avoid the cost of replacing its garbage truck. A used truck would cost at least $45,000, Endicott said.
Town council president Brent Wilcoxson suggested town supervisors look at options and programs used by other towns. A recommendation could come within a few weeks.
One of the options that will be explored is a "pay as you throw" program in which haulers charge customers for the amount of trash collected.
Such a program might also include some type of curbside recycling program so that residents could reduce their waste stream and thereby cut down on their own costs, Wilcoxson said.
Warsaw City Council will consider a proposal next month on whether to remove multi-family dwellings of three or more units from the free city service.
The city is also looking at cracking down on residents who abuse the service, including contractors who continually include their construction debris with residential trash.
Warsaw public works superintendent Kim Leake also expressed concern about changes that might be instituted at Ransbottom, which was recently sold to Liberty Waste, of Pittsburgh, Pa.
A spokesman for Liberty said they are in the process of transferring the landfill permit.
General manager John Hartings said operations will continue as normal.
"As for now, everything remains the same," Hartings said.
