Recycling work at New Hope and Hope Haven Industries “is back on track,” according to Manager Molly Marshall, who attended Monday night’s meeting of the Trenton City Council to answer questions about concerns voiced by area residents that items were being placed in landfills rather than being recycled.
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Ms. Marshall told council members that equipment replacement that was scheduled to take three weeks ended up being a nine-week process and, as a result, caused recycling efforts at the Trenton and Chillicothe sites to fall behind. Despite its best attempts, Ms. Marshall said Hope Haven was forced to send some of its recycled items to a landfill for about a two- to three-week period in an effort to get caught up in its work.
According to Ms. Marshall, a recycling group from Cameron assisted with some of the Hope Haven efforts and the city of Chillicothe, which is one of four cities that Hope Haven serves, agreed to place all of its recycling items in a landfill during this period. The cities of Kirksville and Carrollton are also served by Hope Haven as well as several commercial enterprises.
Ms. Marshall iterated that this was “a one-time situation” and encouraged residents to continue their recycling efforts. She said that Hope Haven had informed city officials about the problems, however, the information was not disseminated to the public. She indicated that should another recycling problem occur, efforts would be made to inform the public as soon as possible.
She also discussed efforts being made by Hope Haven, New Hope and the city to inform persons about the need to recycle, including programs at Rissler Elementary School and flyers that have been placed in mailings sent out by the city. There have also been public service announcements broadcast and other efforts are also being planned.
The council voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant, which would be used to demolish structures in the city identified by the building inspector as unable to be repaired. City Administrator Kerry Sampson noted that eight persons have already expressed interest in participating in the program and that others will be sought to be included in the application, which must be submitted to the state in April. Those participating will be asked to provide $500 to $750 to help with the demolition costs, which Sampson noted allowed the city to tear down 10 more structures than had been identified in the city’s first demolition grant. Persons interested in participating in the program or wanting more information are asked to contact Jim Linville or Gary Beverlin at city hall as soon as possible.
There was a brief discussion concerning the possibility of closing streets around North Central Missouri College as part of its master plan, although it was noted that the college has yet to submit any such request to the city. It was determined a discussion about the streets should be done after the college visits with architects concerning plans to construct a new building on campus as well as other improvements being considered. As part of a discussion by the NCMC Board of Trustees, a portion of Chestnut between 13th Street and Crowder Road has been mentioned as needing to be closed because of plans to construct a new allied health building in that area. The board reviewed preliminary plans for the building at its December meeting and is expected to get more definitive plans at its February meeting.
Roger and Rose Johnson, who own Rose’s Kut and Kurl on Main Street, expressed concerns about the possibility of closing Main Street, noting it would close off access to their business. They were told that no plan to close Main Street has been brought to the council and suggestions were made to the couple to talk with college officials about their concerns.
The council heard a presentation from the Trenton Chapter of the Green Hills Master Gardeners concerning replacement of the Welcome to Trenton signs at three locations (see accompanying story).
In other business, the council:
• approved two resolutions adopting MARCIT by-laws by the city and Board of Public Works and having them administered by the city administrator. MARCIT is the city’s insurance carrier.
• approved a bid of $10,788.54 from Lee Machine Shop for a scrub tower at the city’s asphalt plant. It was the only bid received.
• appointed Verna Kelsey to the Police Personnel Board, replacing Gwen Deskins, who resigned. Mrs. Kelsey will serve a four-year term.
• heard information that the city would be reviewing the 2006 International Building Code in an effort to update the city’s building code. Sampson said public meetings would be held to provide information on any changes, with a recommendation to be brought back to the council for approval.
• was told Keith Edmundson has begun work as the city’s newest policeman. He has been working as a reserve office and assumed full-time duty status on Monday.
All votes were 6-0 with councilpersons Jackie Soptic and Greg Lamp absent.
An executive session was held for legal matters. No announcement was made.