Beast for sale

BOARDMAN — Three years ago, township trustees spent $262,372 on a new recycler/grinder. Now, they’ve decided to sell it because of financial difficulties.

Trustees voted this week to sell the machine, dubbed “The Beast,” through an online auction.

LightGov, the company handling the auction, will get 1 percent of the amount received for the machine.

Residents would take their branches and other yard debris to the township’s compost site on Southern Boulevard. The debris was turned into mulch, which was offered free to residents.

The site closed, however, when budget problems led to layoffs in February 2008. Eight of the 13 road-department employees laid off remain on furlough.

“It’s just a casualty of the financial problems and manpower issues,” said Larry Wilson, superintendent of the township road department.

For the full story, see Saturday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.