Thirty residents attended and participated in the discussion at a public meeting regarding the upgrading of the Forest Grove Transfer Station at the Forest Grove Community Hall on June 25.
Cariboo Regional District (CRD) representatives attended the two-hour meeting to give information and answer questions. They included CRD board chair Al Richmond, Area H Director Margo Wagner, environmental services manager Mitch Minchau, and solid waste management supervisor who gave a slide presentation.
Some of the reasons for upgrading the transfer station are: to reduce overall program costs; provide accessible, convenient recycling; reduce site abuse; improve education; increase amount of recycling; and reduce the amount of waste going into landfills during the next 10 years.
It was noted that even though the dump site has good signage, there are still those who don't follow direction and toss their household refuse anywhere they want.
With an attendant on site, waste loads will be inspected and turned away if necessary. Throughout the day, the attendant will compact refuse in bins, metal and wood piles, provide snow removal in the winter, and will direct folks to appropriate areas to get rid of their waste.
It was noted public access will be around 52 hours a week and the hours of operation will be determined after considering the comments of this meeting.
The main concerns voiced by residents present at the meeting were the hours of operation and the site being gated.
Some people felt the proposed 8 a.m.-5 p.m. timeframe, with a one-hour closure for lunch, was not viable for most people who worked 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Residents were not happy to hear that they will no longer be permitted to scavenge out of the metal and wood marshalling area, commonly referred to as "The Mall."
Making sure oil, treated lumber, carcasses, plastics, concrete, asphalt products, insulation and sawdust are kept out of the dump will be some of the things the attendant will be watching for. It was reiterated that site is a transfer station not a dump.
The CRD representatives noted contractors dumping construction waste has been a real problem, it contributes to the cost of operations.
Hauling illegally dumped debris away costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars every year, the regional district representatives explained. Tipping fees will be charged for large waste deposits, such as house demolition.
There will still be a share shed and some people felt it would be a good idea to make it bigger to allow for larger items.
In 2014, recycling bins will provided at the Forest Grove Transfer Station. It's hoped that the volume of garbage will decrease as recycling efforts increase.
A composting program will be introduced and subsidized composters will be available in 2014 at a reduced cost. However, it was noted they would not bear proof.
Residents were asked to be patient as the CRD works out the details.
If folks have any concerns, questions or suggestions, they are asked to go to CRD website at www.cariboord.bc,ca.