MERCER COUNTY Officials work to improve recycling

A grant would provide new sites for people who have only a few drop-offs.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- Efforts are under way to revive recycling.
Don Blakesley, recycling coordinator, told Mercer County commissioners Thursday that preliminary figures show the percentage of solid waste recycled last year dropped to 8.2 percent, down from 13.5 percent in 1999.
The state goal is 35 percent by 2003.
One step to improving the situation was taken Thursday when commissioners approved the 2001 waste-management plan.
Two main provisions are to provide for enough capacity for waste disposal and to start an accelerated recycling program.
Pacts with landfills: Blakesley said the first goal will be met because he has agreements with landfills to accept over 519,000 tons per year from Mercer County, even though only about 100,000 tons are generated.
He added that word could come any day on a $829,260 grant application to pay for trucks and bins for a proposed countywide recycling drop-off program, which would help meet the second goal.
The grant would provide 10 new sites encouraging recycling in smaller municipalities where residents now have only one drop-off per month.
State law requires municipalities with more than 5,000 residents or 300 residents per square mile to provide curbside recycling.
Targeted areas: In Mercer County those are Greenville, Grove City, Hermitage, Farrell, Sharpsville and Sharon. Mercer and Wheatland have voluntary curbside recycling. Everyone else has monthly drop-off.
Blakesley said that even if the grant is not approved this year, local efforts will be made to increase the county's recycling rate.
The plan goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for review.
Commissioners approved an agreement with Joe Holler Lawn Service of Sharpsville for grass cutting at Orangeville Cemetery in South Pymatuning Township from April through September.
Holler's $95 charge per mowing for 15 mowings was the low bid.
Youth Field Day: Commissioners declared June 2 as Youth Field Day, during which Mercer County Federation of Sportsman's Clubs will be host to about 300 youth at the Grove City Sport Club grounds and demonstrate outdoor conservation and recreation skills.
Kristopher Westcott was hired as part-time summer help for the bridge department at $6.86 hourly and Collette Zavoral as part-time clerical help for the recorder's office at $8.40 hourly.
In the salary board portion of the meeting, commissioners and Controller Dennis Songer accepted the recommendation of the prison board to change the status of Christine McCurdy from temporary cost collection coordinator to regular full-time status. Her pay will continue at $29,637 annually.
They also changed the status of Nancy McCown from temporary assistant cost collection coordinator to regular full-time status in that same position at $19,477 per year.