WARREN Tsagaris opposes collection location

A Geauga commissioner said two collections per county, per year isn't enough.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- At least one commissioner is backing off of plans for a household hazardous waste collection facility on Enterprise Drive.
The Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District plans to construct an office building and household hazardous waste collection facility on property in an industrial park. The collection facility would be open to residents of both counties to drop off items such as paint and pesticides on designated days.
Solid waste district officials have said the items would be shipped off that day. They wouldn't remain at the site and no industrial or commercial waste would be accepted.
The solid waste management district's board is comprised of commissioners of both Geauga and Trumbull counties.
Changes mind
Trumbull Commissioner James G. Tsagaris has changed his mind about the plan.
"I'd like to move it," he said. "We can move to another site that's not near a school."
He said people's concerns about the proposed facility prompted him to change his mind.
Many residents and LaBrae School District officials expressed concerns about the household hazardous waste collection site being located on Enterprise Drive in the city, near where the school district is planning a new campus.
The waste district already has paid $90,000 for the property on Enterprise Drive, but Tsagaris believes it could be sold. He acknowledged he doesn't know Geauga County commissioners' views on a possible change.
The panel meets quarterly with the next meeting set for November.
Mayor Hank Angelo said he doesn't want the household waste collection facility in the industrial park either. He supports the waste district putting its office on Enterprise Drive and continuing its waste collection days throughout the two counties.
Collection days
The waste district conducts four household hazardous waste collection days throughout the year at different locations in the two counties. District officials have said that each of those collections costs about $80,000 and having one central site on Enterprise Drive would save about $320,000 annually.
The mayor believes continuing those collections would be more convenient for residents as well and encourage participation. The district's need for six acres would make it difficult to find a suitable site within the city, he said.
Not enough
Geauga Commissioner Neil C. Hofstetter isn't in favor of that idea.
"That's completely contrary to our purpose, which is to provide services to residents of the two counties," he said.
Two collections per county, per year isn't enough, Hofstetter said.
"We're looking for more bang for the buck," he said.
While the district needs new offices, locating the office there without the collection site would be spending money without meeting the district's purpose of providing environmental services to residents, Hofstetter said.
The district selected the Enterprise Drive site because it was already zoned for such an operation, he said.
Trumbull commissioner Joseph Angelo said the situation is open to discussion.
"I'll listen to them," he said. "I haven't made up my mind either way."
dick@vindy.com