Dateline: May 18, 2006

Aldermen outline service to allow rural dumping

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon Aldermen took up the issue of trash service for rural residents during their regular meeting May 9.

Last month the board made it illegal for any unauthorized person or corporation to use a city Dumpster without paying a monthly fee to do so. The action was aimed at some rural residents who bring their trash to town and fill up Dumpsters that are being paid for by city residents.

Aldermen at Tuesday’s meeting noted that many rural residents were upset with the city but said that anger is misplaced.

“They need to be talking to their county commissioners,” Alderman Mark White said, noting that the county dump is only open three days a week.

City officials agreed that it would not be practical to extend the municipal sanitation service to all rural residents but felt something should be done to meet their needs.

“I think people should pay a residential [trash] rate and dump during regular hours at the city’s recycling center,” Alderman Bobbie Kidd said.

The board agreed with Kidd and approved a motion to allow county residents to bring bagged household trash to the recycling center for the monthly fee of $13.60 plus tax.

The board also voted to have the school, college, and TxDOT pay the posted charges for using the center.

The recycling center is located on Front Street across from the grain elevator and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

In other city business, the board heard from several neighbors of a residence located at 719 W. Sixth regarding the dilapidated house at that address. Grett Betts addressed the board and presented letters from fellow neighbors, who called the house an eyesore and a hazard. He said the house is being used by underage drinkers and drug users and called it a breeding place for skunks, rats, roaches, and other vermin.

City Fire Marshall Kelly Hill said he had inspected the property and said he did not believe it was a fire hazard. He also said it would not fall under the city’s dangerous structure ordinance if the owner would take a few steps, including skirting the house, securing the porch, and covering the openings of the house.

The board voted to send the property owner a letter and give him 30 days to repair and secure the structure or the city will take action to tear down the house.

The board considered and approved a motion allowing OJD Engineering to start the planning for a new water tower that might be funded under a Community Development Block Grant. The west tower has been in service since the 1920s and is in need of repairs. Alderman Kidd has recommended locating a new tower at a higher elevation and eliminating both the west and east towers.

Aldermen considered nominations for the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Alderman Knorpp, who is on the CEDC board, reported that Sherol Johnston and Myles Shelton both expressed a desire to stay on but said Jerry Woodard had expressed his willingness to step down. The board voted 2-0 to appoint Johnston, Shelton, and Steve Hall to the CEDC board. White and Knorpp abstained as members of the CEDC board.