Commissioners Conduct First Night Meeting
LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Commissioners tonight conducted their first night meeting in memory, per a previously announced effort intended to provide public access to their meetings for those who can’t attend during daylight hours.
The public session lasted a little more than an hour and drew three members of the public, two media representatives and county sheriff Kerry Stover.
The session did see an extended discussion on the recent decision by the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority to no longer accept glass for recycling. Instead glass picked up by local refuse haulers is deposited in the authority landfill in Wayne Township.
The commissioners, while expressing sympathy for county residents who were disappointed in the authority decision, reiterated the authority view that it is not financially feasible for the authority to recycle glass.
Board chairman Pete Smeltz said the county checked with Lycoming County to see if there might be a market there for glass from Clinton County, but was told “we don’t want your glass; we can’t get rid of our own.”
He said until someone develops an effective use for crushed glass, there is no market for the sale of glass. Paul Conklin noted information from Lycoming County that crushed glass takes up relatively little landfill volume compared to other refuse.
Jeff Snyder said an additional problem was that the public was mixing glasses of different color; another problem, he said, is some of those who recycle are placing glass in bins designed for plastic only.
In response to a question, Smeltz said the county anticipates $350,000 in its “host fee” from the authority in 2016. He said that number compares to more than $800,000 for each of two recent years when the landfill operation had more trash deposited there; he said the landfill tonnage is “way down” and therefore revenue is down.
The commissioners plan to hold a Thursday night session four times this year, the next scheduled in May. These night meetings are in addition to the regular Monday work sessions and Thursday formal meetings.
