By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó It’s been about five years, but the townspeople have spoken and they want to recycle.
Public Works Director David Ketner told the board at its Tuesday meeting there were originally five options that were narrowed down to three. The town chose to outsource its recycling with Salisbury-based Sonoco Recycling.
“I think that will be the best fit for the town,” he said.
He said it’s no cost to the town. The company provides a garbage bin and dumps it when it’s full. If the town decides to discontinue its services the company will pick up the bin. There is no contract.
The bin will sit at Public Works on Salisbury Street. Residents can dump their materials from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. If there is a need to extend hours to the weekend, something could be arranged.
The company is also doing something new called single-streaming where all of the materials can be dumped into one bin and they will sort it out.
Ketner later explained if a resident wanted to have their recyclables picked up at home, they can privately contract with a company without any interference from the town.
The stopped recycling years ago because of cost and low participation, Ketner said.
Councilman Ron Overcash led the charge to get the recycling program back.
In other business:
– District Court Judge Kevin Eddinger swore in newly elected board members Brandon Linn, Charles Seaford and Mike Upright. Also newly appointed Police Chief Eddie Kluttz.
Councilmen Butch Bivens, Allen Welter and Mayor Pro Tem Blair Lyseski were recognized for their years of service to the board.
Bivens, Welter and Lyseski thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve. Welter said he may return in the next election.
– Approved a conditional use permit and site plan for Dayspring Community Church, 490 Lentz Road. The church wants to add 2,505 square feet onto the existing property with 43 additional parking spaces. The site is 13.19 acres.
The church will add more space for worship, according to its permit application.
Newly elected councilman Mike Upright asked if the septic tank issue had been worked out.
The Rowan County Health Department was working to relocate the existing tank on the property, said Engineer Jonathan Rett.
Rett assured the board the problem was solved.
The China Grove Fire Department also had to review the plans to determine if there was adequate access to the church. Fire Chief Jeff Gledhill said it was adequate.
– Requested Town Manager Bill Pless to talk to downtown businesses to determine their needs and customers’ needs for a handrail near some steep steps in downtown.
There used to be a handrail years ago that was removed. The board agreed something needs to be there for people, especially those who have difficulty walking up and down the steep steps.
Mayor Don Bringle asked Ketner to look into some possible prices of railings.
– Voted to reject November bids for the much talked about sidewalk project. Discussion about adding new sidewalks has gone on for about three years and debate over where to put them has grown over the past few months.
The town is eligible to receive more than $600,000 in state funding for the project.
Rob Bernard, an engineer with Pease and Associates, which is doing the planning and design of the project, explained that the lowest bid received was higher than the $632,000 the state was willing to pay. The lowest bid was $789,000.
State officials said the town could reduce the scope of the project or eliminate a few streets from its sidewalk project.
For instance, some homes on Vance Street are historic and thus can be removed from the project list. Also Kirk Street has a right-of-way that the engineers were unable to determine who it belonged to, the property owner or the town. There were no documents or deeds that clear up the confusion.
The town will re-advertise for bids next week and receive them by Dec. 17.
“We hope they match wha the state will pay,” Bernard said.
– Voted Lee Withers as the new mayor pro tem to replace outgoing board member Blair Lyseski who served as mayor pro tem.