Solid Waste: county to buy heavier Hitachi excavator, schedules household hazardous waste day and plans recycling outreach for schools

Solid Waste staff told the committee they had revised an earlier resolution to change the make of a planned 85-class excavator from Case to a Hitachi equivalent and described operational and outreach priorities. Equipment procurement: staff said the originally approved resolution for a Case 85 was updated after inspecting a Hitachi 75 and locating an available Hitachi 85 at a nearby yard. The Hitachi was described as significantly heavier with reinforcement on the arm and booms and came with a two-year warranty. Staff said the grapple attachment has a 4-to-5 week lead time and the machine is currently in the vendor yard; if the committee passed the amendment the vendor would begin fabrication of the grapple. Household hazardous waste: staff reminded the committee that a household hazardous waste collection is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to noon at the county commerce court. Recycling outreach and schools: staff described a plan to send a short Google Forms survey to school districts and private schools in Columbia County to gather data on recycling and food-composting practices, contractors used for recycling and tonnage. The survey aims to help the county comply with its solid-waste management plan and to design educational flyers for residents about acceptable recyclables (noting the county accepts rigid plastics types 1, 2 and 5) and contamination risks that damage material recovery facility conveyors. Other operational notes: staff reported the local transfer station was operating and that a mid-size excavator grapple fabrication and deliveries will determine availability; staff also noted increased contamination rates in residential recycling this summer and plans for countywide recycling protocol flyers and outreach to towns and libraries. Action: the committee approved the amended resolution authorizing the Hitachi excavator purchase and related procurement items by voice vote.