Litter control officer resigns; county updates recycling bins to reduce contamination

The Monongalia County Commission accepted the resignation of litter control officer Alex Haller at its April 23 meeting and heard a brief report from Haller about recent changes to the county—s recycling program.

Alex Haller told commissioners contamination in recycling bins had been a recurring problem, naming items such as “crossbows, motor oil, things like that” that had been improperly deposited. To reduce contamination and the number of daily runs, Haller said the county removed swing-open doors and replaced them with slot-style openings on all sides; the new bins are also larger. "The other benefit to that is our bins doubled in size," Haller said, adding the redesign allows staff to reduce collection runs from about eight or nine per day to four to six, and makes it easier to station staff to police contamination and assist residents.

Haller also told the commission the county would provide interim coverage for continuity after his departure; he said phone numbers that had been used to reach him would remain active so the public can still get service.

The commission accepted Haller's resignation by motion and voice vote; an effective date in May was discussed but a specific final day was not recorded in the audio.