Boston Mountain takes over county recycling programs Jan. 1

NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVID GOTTSCHALK The Washington County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center Dec. 18 in Fayetteville. Two county waste programs and three employee positions will transfer from county-run to Boston Mountain Solid Waste on Jan. 1.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVID GOTTSCHALK The Washington County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center Dec. 18 in Fayetteville. Two county waste programs and three employee positions will transfer from county-run to Boston Mountain Solid Waste on Jan. 1.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Boston Mountain Solid Waste District will take over the Washington County household hazardous waste collection center, a rural recycling program and three county employee positions Jan. 1.

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Pete Trollinger, with Washington County Environmental Affairs, combines used motor oil into a larger storage tank Dec. 18 at the Washington County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center in Fayetteville. Two county waste programs and three employee positions will transfer from county-run to Boston Mountain Solid Waste on Jan. 1.

The county agreed to pay the district $192,000 per year, improve and maintain the building and grounds and give the district equipment, including a forklift and three trailers.

Robin Reed, director of the district, said her board signed an interlocal agreement with the county last month.

County Judge Joseph Wood had not yet signed the interlocal agreement and filed it with the County Clerk by Thursday, according to the County Clerk's Office. County offices were closed Friday and Monday for the holiday.

County Attorney Brian Lester did not answer questions sent via email several times in the past two weeks. Lester is spokesman for the county and Wood.

Boston Mountain is one of 18 regional waste districts in Arkansas. The district covers Madison and Washington counties and provides services that include bulky-waste pickup, tire disposal, household hazardous waste, recycling and waste reduction and educational programs, according to the group's website.

Collection facilities are in Lincoln and Prairie Grove.

Reed said the money the county plans to pay the district should cover expenses. No programs or hours are expected to be reduced, and no facilities are expected to close or relocate, she said.

The district agreed to dispose of household hazardous waste for Washington and Madison county residents. Other services continuing include recycling electronics, fluorescent bulbs, Freon and scrap metal, tire collection and roadside dump remediation, according to the agreement.

Under the agreement, the district will run the recycling programs until Dec. 31, 2023. The agreement can be terminated with a six-month notice from either side.

Reed said Household Hazardous Waste program hours will change to 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday to give employees a lunch break.

District staff plan to review the programs and possibly extend hours into the evenings, Reed said.

The district also agreed to take over three employees from the county's environmental department, but none of those employees, including the director, chose to work for the district, Reed said. The positions are being advertised, she said.

The Quorum Court does not need to approve the contract.

Wood's budget, which included the changes, was approved in November.

NW News on 12/26/2017

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