The Washington City Council did not make a decision on trash, but did decide to do away with grass pickup.
The council unanimously voted Monday to do away with the summer service in two weeks. Those wanting to get the grass out of their yard can take the clippings to the Street Department.
A vote to get rid of the program came after debate from every council member and several in the audience about trash pickup. Mayor Larry Haag said although a decision has not been made, many residents told him a flat fee increase, up to possibly $10 a month, would be better than a sticker program.
“All I’m trying to do is to educate citizens that the trash budget is $543,000,” Haag said. “Last year, it was $537,000. The thought behind the sticker fee was to reduce the waste that was going to the landfill and the abuse of the trash and garbage budget.”
Currently, the city charges $2 every month for unlimited trash pickup. During recent budget negotiations, the city has to make up an estimated $400,000 shortfall from the 2009 budget.
Haag, along with councilmen Steve Dyer and Jim Haag, went to Vincennes and Bicknell last week to see how those programs worked. The sticker plan was mentioned along with a curbside recycling program.
Council members expressed their opinions on the much-debated idea, with most saying the constituents they talked to preferred the flat fee.
“People in the city of Washington have been spoiled,” Councilman Ralph Brummett said. “We picked up everything they had and it’s partially our fault. No one wants to see change. The people that talked to me don’t want the sticker.”
Councilman Tom Baumert, an opponent of the program from the start, said there could still be more that could be cut out of the 2009 budget. He said after the initial debate last month, he has received calls from 50 or 60 people asking him not to vote for the increase.
“When we went through our budgets, we came up with $258,000 of that $400,000 that could be cut out,” Baumert said. “We’re supposed to be tightening our belts and what do you do when you tighten your belt at home?
“Maybe this is the year when we can’t afford to give three percent pay raises. If we took out the pay raises, there’s another $216,000,” Baumert said.
But Councilman Art Biddinger informed Baumert the city could still be down because of the revenue coming in, even after cutting out pay raises.
“We can slim our budget down to where we can’t pay our expenses and still be $400,000 short,” Biddinger said.
Audience members also gave opinions. Mary Jane Kidd said a flat fee is not fair and stickers or extra fees should be used for larger items.
“I have families that live on both sides of me and they have five to six bags a week,” Kidd said. “I have one bag a week. Is that equitable?”
Roger Cox said while he lived at Vincennes, stickers were stolen from his trash bags.
“Not only that, you had to go from store to store to store to get the stickers,” Cox said. “Some stores were always out of them. You would have trash backed up in your house for days.”
After all that, Haag brought up the grass pickup. The mayor said currently the city spends $1,500 a week to pick up the grass of 150 city residents. He then asked for a motion to do away with it.
“I would love to make a motion to cease that,” Haag said.
After the vote, Kidd and other members in the audience applauded.
While not discussed at length during the meeting, Haag said the recycling program could be implemented in a timely basis.
“Understand that the program would have to be geared up over time and if the public is interested,” Haag said. “The sale of the recyclables would subsidize the program.”
Local News
Washington City Council votes to end grass pickup
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
