Solid waste authority seeks consulting firms
By MIKE PALMER, Times Leader Staff WriterBELLAIRE - The Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority met at the Bellaire Public Library Monday evening, interviewing two finalists for consulting firms the board is considering to create a plan for Solid Waste Management operations.
After the JBRSWA Board came out of executive session, it was agreed to negotiate with GT Environmental, Inc. for consulting services.
GT Environmental, Inc. main office is located in Westerville, Ohio and provides a full range of strategic environmental planning and permitting, and safety services to clients in Ohio including state and local government agencies.
"The board will be developing a scope of work and negotiating the costs with the consultant," said Jack Cera, coordinator of the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority. "The firm will be taking a look at our recycling operations, types of equipment, material handling and suggesting new avenues we can pursue, some that we hope can help effect economic development.
Under new business, it was announced that the Ohio EPA, for its 2010 tire clean up program, has selected Jefferson County. The county has identified 42 locations where 100-2000 tires have been dumped. The program is in cooperation with property owners and will take place this summer. The county will also be accepting tires from persons with less than 100 tires, which can be brought in for recycling with or without rims. The JBRSWA will continue their own community clean up and once the schedules are finalized it will be published.
After some discussion, the board also decided to purchase promotional items totaling $4,756. The items include 6,000 litter bags, 2500 pencils along with other advertising items that include, key ring lights, band aid dispensers, silly putty, mood ring pens, yo-yos and tape measures printed with the JBRSWA phone number.
The topic of donating equipment received from Troy Built in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful program to Belmont County was then brought up, with the board deciding that the trimmer and back pack blower will be designated for use by the C-CAP program. The program's volunteers provide clean up and weed control around collections sites, in addition to helping townships maintain their properties and cemeteries. The motion was unanimously approved.
In other action, the board announced that the state has implemented the Ohio Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes funding to support investments in energy-related programs and projects that create jobs and stimulate the economy, while meeting long-term energy goals. The Ohio Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is one of several energy-related programs administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Energy Office. The goal is to spur interest in and sales of selected ENERGY STAR -qualified appliances in the State of Ohio, provide a smooth and transparent customer-focused experience for Ohio residents when they purchase, reserve, and redeem their rebate, and reduce energy use and emissions. The level of funding allocated to the State of Ohio is $11,020,000.
The next board meeting is scheduled to take place in Wintersville on March 8.
Palmer may be reached at mpalmer@timesleaderonline.com
