County to proceed with C&D transfer station

By Lisa Majors-Duff

The contract went to low-bidder Wolf Pen Associates of Haywood County on the recommendation of engineer Jim McElduff of the Fletcher Group, the firm hired by Jackson County to consult on solid waste issues. Work on the Mineral Springs property is scheduled to be completed within 75 days of the starting date. Following that, work on a building for the transfer station could begin in mid-January, McElduff said.

The bad news, Chairman Jay Denton told the board, is that the current C&D landfill in Dillsboro is expected to be full and out of business by the end of November When that happens, construction waste will have to be routed through the Cherokee Transfer Station until the Mineral Springs site is ready, he said.

Prior to making his recommendation to the board, McElduff elaborated on his opinion concerning an informal proposal made by Greg Thomas of Country Collections to take over C&D operations. Thomas appeared before the board in September, asking that his company be allowed to add construction waste removal to his recycling operation at Webster Enterprises. Such a move, he said, could save the county $500,000.

"I have several reservations about Mr. Thomas' idea," McElduff wrote in a letter to the board. "Unless Mr. Thomas can make a convincing statement regarding his ability to manage C&D transfer and disposal, the county should be reluctant to accept a bid from him."

Items McElduff suggested Thomas produce included a business plan to demonstrate Country Collections has adequate financial capacity to properly transfer and dispose of C&D debris from both Jackson and Macon counties. (One of the requirements of a solid waste contract between the two counties is that Jackson handle Macon's C&D waste for 20 years, while Macon landfills Jackson's household waste for the same time period.)

He also asked that Country Collections show that its facilities are sufficient for daily operations, that an operational plan for routing vehicles safely be submitted and that the company demonstrate its ability to obtain all required permits and insurance coverage.

Thomas, who currently collects the town of Sylva's commercial recyclables in addition to his contract to process recyclables at Webster Enterprises, submitted a plan to the county, which included a flow plan for vehicles entering and leaving the facility, as well as plans for waste screening, a site cleanup policy, industrial storm water permits and a transfer facility permit.

If the county were to consider privatization of C&D operations, the bid process would have to come into play, McElduff said.

"I have talked to the county attorney, and he does not recommend privatization of our C&D operations," Denton said.

"I like Greg, but in light of our contract with Macon County, I have reservations," Commissioner Roberta Crawford said.

The consensus of the board was to continue with development of the Mineral Springs site and award the bid to Wolf Pen.

In other business to come before the board, Amy Garza of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia requested commissioners assist her with the development of a living homestead and amphitheater. The purpose of such a center, she said, would be to hold on to "our mountain heritage."

"We are losing our mountain heritage with every breath we take," she said. "I am very distressed about this." Garza, co-founder of CSA with her sister, Doreyl Ammons Cain, said she imagines the living homestead to be operated by "mountain people, where we can tell the world the real Appalachian story."

Her request to the board included funds to purchase about 10 acres of property in addition to financial support. Macon and Swain county officials have been receptive to the idea, she said, but "I consider Jackson County my home. I don't want to leave."

In addition to heritage demonstrations, Garza said the center could also be home to an outdoor drama. The author of several books set in Jackson County, Garza has adapted her stories into plays, which have been produced throughout the region.

"Our children are loosing their heritage," she said, "and without roots, you cannot grow, you cannot blossom."

Board members took the matter under advisement and invited Garza to return with updates on her project.

During in the informal comments portion of the meeting, Carl Tucker of the Woodfin Homeowners Association addressed the board with a complaint about "an eyesore" near his home.

"We are concerned about the junk yard in our area," he said. "Is there anyway we can have it fenced?"

With no zoning in Jackson County, there is nothing the county can do, Denton said, to which Tucker asked, "How can we get zoning started?"

"We have not addressed zoning since the last board voted it down," Denton said.

Commissioner Franz Whitmire then brought up the Smart Growth meetings and invited Tucker and all other county citizens to participate in the forum. Smart Growth is an initiative designed by Gov. Jim Hunt to plan for North Carolina's future. Community meetings, where residents will be asked what they like and dislike about Jackson County, are scheduled through June 2001. The first meeting was held Tuesday; the next one is set for Nov. 14 in Cashiers.

"These are the most beautiful mountains east of the Mississippi," said Hersey Huffman, also a member of the Woodfin group. "It's a shame that something like (a junk yard) is going on."

Before finishing their meeting last week, commissioners waived a room tax penalty of $180 for the Starlight Motel after owner Gail Cooper explained the reason the payment was late. They also approved a list of 18 appointments to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

Board members have scheduled a fall planning retreat for this Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 11 a.m. A highlight of the meeting, said Denton, will be a review of the current capital improvement projects. The next regular meeting of the board will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 10/26/00.