Joe P. Asher
Staff Writer
The Cumberland City Council held a special called meeting on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of the city entering into an interlocal agreement with Waste Connection Inc., and the Harlan Fiscal Court. Such an agreement would turn the city’s garbage collection over to Waste Connection.
According to a previous report, Mayor Carl Hatfield said the city’s current garbage truck “is costing the city money.”
“This truck we have, we’ve invested about $6,000 in repairs just in August alone, and we’ve got another $1,000 pending for springs and brakes,” said Hatfield.
Hatfield inquired about the council’s position on this during Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’d like to know if you’re ready to make a motion that I can begin arrangements to get a contract, which will have to be approved by the city council,” asked Hatfield.
Council member Carolyn Elliot pointed out there may be other options.
“I would like to do a little more research on it and hold off until the regular council meeting,” said Elliot.
“Would you make a motion to that effect?” asked Hatfield.
Elliot made a motion to forgo making a decision on the issue until the regular council meeting in September. Council member David Dixon seconded the motion. The motion was passed by the council with no opposition.
The council then passed a motion to adjourn.
In an interview after the meeting, Elliot explained her reasons for postponing a decision on the matter.
“I think we need to research it and go with our dollar amounts and check into what a new packer costs. You can get a new packer through a state contract for $125,000 to $130,000, and that’s five or six years with a low interest rate. Probably lower than 4 percent. Then maybe keep our old one and get it fixed up where it’s runnable and keep it as back up,” said Elliot.
Council member Charles Raleigh added, “Plus with the situation we’re in right now we’d be tied into about a seven-year contract that we have no control over. If we join in with the one they have right now it doesn’t expire until 2019.”
Dixon explained his reasons for supporting postponing the decision.
“As a council member elected by the people, I was for tabling the issue in order to further speak to the citizens that will be affected as well as crunch numbers and see what would be the most effective solution for the citizens I was elected to serve.”
The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Sept. 11.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com
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