The
new-look Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority will meet Tuesday less than week
after the state Solid Waste Management Board seized control of the authority
and the Nicholas County Landfill.
State
SWMB Executive Director Mark Holstine will chair the meeting. He said on Monday
the authority now includes several new members appointed after four former
members of the authority quit when the state found the solid waste situation
“seriously impaired” and decided to intervene.
Holstine’s
staff began operating the Nicholas County Landfill last week. He said the
ultimate goal is to return it to local control.
“There
has been some information sent out by people that we’re looking to take it over
and run it forever, that’s not true,” Holstine said on Talkline. “Our only goal
is to see that it’s an efficient and effective operation.”
The
solid waste authority’s problems have been many according to Holstine including
attempts by the former board to create additional board members and
transferring total control to the executive director. He said eventually the
staff was “totally resistant” to make any changes to improve the collection
program or other operations.
Holstine
said Tuesday’s meeting with a new-look board should point things in the right
direction.
“Hopefully
over the course of the next couple three weeks we get things running smoothly
at least from a business standpoint and move forward,” he said.
The
decision to seize control of the Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority was the
first time in the 38-year history of the state Solid Waste Management Board to
make such a move.
