Bonner County commissioners reinstate Colburn ‘free table,’ ask director to add signage and safety measures

The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted to reinstate a public “free table” at the Colburn solid-waste site and directed the Solid Waste director to install it in a lower-traffic area with signage recommended by risk management.

The decision followed more than two hours of staff presentations and public comment during which Solid Waste Director Bob Harrow described liability concerns raised after site upgrades and the county risk manager said the hazard could be controlled with placement and warning signs.

Commissioners opened the item after public interest grew when the free table used at Colburn during prior years was removed for safety during site renovation. Harrow told the board staff “recommends against implementing or allowing a public free table at our facility” at the current entrance location because “the liability is greater,” but said the department had identified an alternative location near existing recycling containers where the table could be placed out of the main…