Recycling center plan goes forward

Council members said previous complaints were being addressed.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Council is slowly going ahead with plans to create a recycling center in the city.
Council gave a first reading Tuesday to the agreement with the Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison Joint Solid Waste Management District and Lewis Refuse.
But council says it will rework portions of the agreement before giving it the last two readings needed for approval.
Emptying containers
Councilwoman Mary Lou Popa said the agreement that is part of the ordinance calls for each recycling container to be emptied at least two times each week. The site, on city property south of the fire department, will have at least two large containers.
Popa said part of the agreement was improperly listed under the city's responsibilities.
The agreement also said the city would help with the "loading of overly large unacceptable items that may be at the site."
Popa said that also was not a part of the city's duties.
The city had a recycling center several years ago but closed it because people were dumping garbage and other unacceptable items.
Council is trying to offer a recycling site again because of requests and the use of a location near the fire and police departments.
Council also heard updates on two separate complaints that were referred to committee earlier this month for more study.
Complaints
Jackie Noebe complained about excessive lighting at the new Taco Bell on East State Street. The back property line of her home on Second Street adjoins the rear of the restaurant property.
Noebe said the restaurant's excessive lights flooded her home and attracted clouds of insects.
Councilman Clyde Brown said a letter was being sent to the restaurant telling it to adjust its lighting.
Councilman Walt Bezeredi said he had talked to Patricia Badia Williams, who had complained that runners or hikers were destroying part of the natural habitat by cutting through the inner circle of the nature trail in Waterworth Park. She also said that people were littering there.
Bezeredi said the problems had been resolved.
In other action, council approved a resolution praising the Salem girls cross-country team and its coaches for state championships in 2005 and 2006.
wilkinson@vindy.com