Supervisors get updates, discuss remodeling

By Mary Zielinski
Posted 10/7/20

Although there was a drop of 27.98 tons in landfill use from January through August 2020, recycling in the county went up an average of 19.36 tons, Lynn Whaley of WEMIGA Waste Systems told the …

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Supervisors get updates, discuss remodeling

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Although there was a drop of 27.98 tons in landfill use from January through August 2020, recycling in the county went up an average of 19.36 tons, Lynn Whaley of WEMIGA Waste Systems told the supervisors on Oct. 6.

The recyclables are plastics, paper, cardboard and tin/aluminum. There also was a drop in appliances and TVs/electronics, noted Whaley, adding August “was a pretty good month for recyclables.” It also was observed that some of the increase may be related to more people staying at home, including for both distance learning and work, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman Jack Seward, Jr. said that WEMIGA, who operates the county’s recyclable and solid waste service, has been doing a good job.

In its sole action item on Oct. 6, the board approved employment termination for Sandra Jara in the county attorney’s office, effective October 14.  The county is now advertising for a replacement paralegal/legal secretary.

In the weekly COVID-19 update, the board learned that serology tests were done for 378 people, that there are 55 hospitalized with the virus and that the rate of COVID-19 cases in the county is 6.7%. Deaths from the disease have remained at 11 since June.

In its final business, the board discussed remodeling of the supervisors’ office, including having a curved or circular desk with plastic dividers between members and the public, having vertical files along the back wall, and replacing floor covering. The latter will be an involved process, noted Seward, “since the tiles under the carpeting have asbestos in them.”

Because of that, removal will require special, certified workers, and likely means the board would have to move for three or four weeks from its basement office.

Seward said it is a possibility that the board could use the second floor courtroom. Indications are the court could be agreeable to a temporary use by the board.

He explained that the idea of a remodeling has been previously discussed but it always as decided there were more important things to do. As result, it is likely no decision will be made before next year.