Burns Harbor gets to keep the recycling drop-off containers located at the town Street Department, and the Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction District will continue to pay for them.

As a cost-cutting measure in the proposed 2010 Waste District budget, eliminating the large containers had been recommended.

Voting 6-0 Tuesday the Waste District board also OK’d keeping its recycling collection site in Boone Grove, which also could have been closed.

Board member Sue Lynch of Portage did encourage Burns Harbor residents to recycle more and increase the 2 percent of county-wide 2008 recycling volume they contributed to justify the $3,000 annual expense for the drop-off boxes, which are emptied monthly.

Boone Grove contributed 8 percent at a cost of $8,500 according to Waste District executive director Therese Davis.

Board chairman Porter County Commissioner John Evans of Chesterton said in light of Burns Harbor’s small population, estimated to be about 1,000 persons, 2 percent actually might be good. Davis said targeted mailings urging Burns Harbor residents to recycle more is an option.

Board member Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper said increasing recycling participation in the future will come from education of children in the schools. “We’re trying to change a nation’s habits.”

Evans said since Burns Harbor is unusual in not charging residents a user fee for recycling services, which aren’t provided curbside, the town might want to look at making a donation to the Waste District for providing the drop-off containers.

Harper’s motion to continue the service without any conditions stipulated that the money come from an anticipated $18,000 Waste District savings by not having to borrow money and pay interest in 2010 because of late property-tax distributions. A small 2009 cash carryover also could occur.

Although the possible removal of the drop-off containers was on the Waste District agenda later in the meeting, the matter came up earlier when discussing 2010 district employee wages and longevity pay.

Commented board member Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez, “I’d rather see if we have extra dollars, restore service to people.” Evans emphasized that no service cuts yet had been made, only proposed for next year.

In the audience but not addressing the Waste District board were Burns Harbor Councilman Cliff Fleming, Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan, Chesterton town manager Bernie Doyle, Porter County Council member Bob Poparad of Burns Harbor and town resident/recycler Joyce Fleming.

At a Town Council meeting later Tuesday night, Cliff Fleming commented, “I wanted to publicly thank the Recycling and Waste Reduction District for continuing to provide recycling containers to Burns Harbor.” Jordan also thanked Doyle and Poparad for their support.

Posted 12/16/2009