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Grand Lake considers mandatory trash, recycling law

Tonya Bina
Sky-Hi Daily News

The Town of Grand Lake is researching a mandatory trash ordinance with mandatory wildlife-proof bins and curbside recycling for all town residents.

The Grand Lake Planning Commission passed a draft “Waste Disposal” ordinance on Sept. 4, saying that because of wildlife presence in town and because illegal dumping of refuse takes place, the town needs to adopt a waste-disposal policy.

The draft law states that all single-family and multi-family residences with less than eight units must have bear-proof garbage bins. Waste service and recycling would be contracted through the town and the town would bill residences for such service.



Commercial businesses and buildings with greater than eight units could choose their own trash service provider, and for them, recycling would be optional.

Grand Lake trustees reviewed the draft ordinance Monday and decided further thought is warranted about what mandatory trash system would work best.



Trustees agreed that a contract with a provider would be the best direction rather than creating a government enterprise that runs the trash service.

Holding off on setting a public hearing, trustees opted to host a workshop that includes a trash and recycling expert as well as representatives from various trash companies who might be interested in contracting with the town.

Town Manager Shane Hale said he would bring back possible workshop dates at the next town board meeting.

The workshop would serve to iron out details about how a mandatory trash and recycling law could look and what should be asked of service providers in a future request for proposal.

Grand Lake explores electrical inspection options

Grand Lake’s electrical inspections could be put in the hands of Safebuilt Inc. if the town board decides to go that direction at its next meeting, Sept. 22.

Electrical inspections have been conducted by a state inspector, but due to the upcoming retirement of the area’s inspector and because of the possibility of having faster turn-around times with a private company, Grand Lake has been considering switching to the company that has contracts with the Winter Park-Fraser Building Department and the town of Granby.

Trustees learned Monday night, however, that there is another option becoming available. Grand County is considering hiring its own electrical inspector as early as July 2009 because the county is seeking more control over inspections, according to County Building Official Scott Penson.

The county plans to make its decision about hiring an inspector during the upcoming budget process.

In the meantime, Grand Lake is up against a deadline. The state allows a severing of its service only once a year and requires notification by Sept. 30.

Bench to be dedicated to Schnittker

The Town of Grand Lake, with the help of funds remaining from the dissolving organization Catch the Spirit, will dedicate a bench to the late Grand Lake volunteer Evelyn Schnittker. A formal dedication is expected to take place next spring for a bench to be placed in Lakefront Park in Schnittker’s name.

Catch the Spirit, which Schnittker helped establish, donated $500 to the $1,000 cost for a bench and plaque.

Schnittker, a prominent square dancer, was a dedicated volunteer in Grand Lake with the Chamber of Commerce, The Women’s Club and various other organizations and events.

No passing up a good deal

The town may be purchasing a new street sweeper if what looks like a good deal rings true.

As part of its replacement program, the town of Telluride advertised a 6-year-old model with around 2,000 hours for $18,000 that, sold new, is priced around $140,000. Grand Lake, in need of a sweeper, plans to send public works employees to Telluride to check it out.

If they decide to buy it, which trustees authorized them to do on Monday, the purchase would be outside what was budgeted for the year. The sweeper, however, would not put the department over budget due to spending cuts this year, according to Town Manager Hale.

“It’s a rare opportunity to purchase something affordable,” Hale said.

” To reach Tonya Bina, e-mail tbina@grandcountynews.com or 970-887-3334 ext. 19603.


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