For Granite Quarry recyclers, All-American now the go-to company

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 9, 2013

GRANITE QUARRY — All-American Disposal & Recycling will be picking up all the residential recycling in Granite Quarry from now on.
The town previously had recycling contracts with both All-American and S.H.A.R.K.S. Recycling, which was a Crash Morrison company. But Morrison’s company has run into difficulties lately on both residential garbage and recycling routes, leading Granite Quarry to dissolve its recycling agreement with S.H.A.R.K.S. and go entirely with All-American.
For the residents who recycle in Granite Quarry, their recycling bins will be emptied by All-American on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
S.H.A.R.K.S. customers used to have their recycling bins emptied on the second and fourth Fridays, but All-American will take over and move them to the first and third Wednesdays, too.
Town Manager Dan Peters thanked All-American for filling the void left by S.H.A.R.K.S.
In other town business, Police Chief Mark Cook said he is drafting a proposed golf cart ordinance, aimed at only electric vehicles and setting out regulations for them on city streets.
Other low-speed vehicles would continue to be regulated by state laws already in place, Cook said. The proposed golf cart ordinance would be modeled on one provided by the N.C. League of Municipalities.
“You’re taking on a big responsibility,” Alderman Jim LaFevers warned Cook Monday night at a meeting of the Granite Quarry town board. LaFevers said there are several golf carts in his neighborhood with kids often driving them.
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Feather noted the Fire Department uses a golf cart, and he also asked how a golf cart ordinance might affect motorized wheelchairs.
Feather said he didn’t want an ordinance to be too restrictive, nor too burdensome in its enforcement. He also asked how the ordinance applies to state-maintained highways such as U.S. 52, Peeler Street and Old N.C. 80.
Cook said the golf cart regulations would apply to any streets or highways within the city limits, as long as the speed limit is 35 mph or less. He added it would not pertain to motorized wheelchairs, which would be viewed as a mobility device for the disabled.
During a public comment period, Jake Chambers, who lives in the 200 block of Peeler Street, spoke in favor of a golf cart ordinance.
Cook will continue working on his draft for aldermen to review later.
In other business:

• Aldermen set 6:50 p.m. Nov. 4 as a time and date for public hearings connected to Planning Board recommendations.
• Aldermen recognized five junior firefighters who competed for Granite Quarry Fire Department in the Sept. 7 muster at Miller’s Ferry. The muster had 16 teams competing, and the Granite Quarry juniors took first place in the mystery event and third place overall in the firefighter combat challenge.
• Barbara Cassel expressed her thanks to the town’s Maintenance Department for its providing work for East Rowan High students. “This is going to make a big change in their lives, I’m sure,” Cassel said.
• Aldermen agreed to change their agenda-setting meetings, usually held on the last Thursday of a month, to work sessions that allow time for public comment. “I have no problem with it,” LaFevers said. “Maybe it will give us more insight when we set the agenda.”
• Aldermen designated a 1985 Jeep Hummer as surplus equipment and agreed to donate the vehicle to the city of Salisbury.
• Aldermen approved a proclamation noting the 100th anniversary of Dorsett Chapel United Church of Christ.
• Peters said bids for a new fire engine went out last Friday to seven vendors.
• The Maintenance Department has installed a new sandbox at Civic Park to discourage children from digging in the sand of the volleyball courts.
• Tuesday was the official start of leaf pickup in Granite Quarry.
• Aldermen agreed to match, up to $2,000, any donations toward the Granite Quarry Family Fun Fest, which will be held Oct. 19 at Civic Park, 202 Peeler St. So far, the town has received $837.79 in donations.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.