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Commission directs transfer-station gates to close at 1:30 p.m. to allow staff clearing time
Summary
After prolonged public debate about long Saturday lines and commercial truck traffic, Hart County commissioners adopted a policy to close the transfer-station gate 30 minutes before posted hours so staff can finish processing and secure the site.
Hart County commissioners voted to set a firm gate-closing procedure for the county transfer station: the gates will close at 1:30 p.m. when the advertised hours end at 2 p.m., giving staff time to finish processing vehicles and secure the facility.
The decision followed extensive discussion and public-safety and operational concerns. Some commissioners and staff described repeated instances where large commercial trucks and multiple haulers backed traffic up onto site and delayed site closure, leaving employees working late. Commissioners discussed options including staffing changes, staggered shifts, trailer capacity from haulers, and signage indicating a last-truck-in time.
Supporters of an earlier gate-closing time said setting a clear policy — and posting a sign indicating the last truck in — would be fair to employees and help avoid operational overtime and safety issues. Opponents cautioned that shortening access could deny service to residents who work late and could push additional loads to other counties, and they urged the board to address hauler/trailer capacity and consider rate changes for out-of-county users.
A motion was made and seconded to set the gate-closing at 1:30 p.m. (with employees to complete processing and be paid through the advertised closing time). The board approved the motion and directed staff to post signage at the gate advising the public of the last-truck time and to work with the hauler(s) and staff to find operational adjustments if the change creates unintended problems.
County staff said the transfer station experiences heavy Saturday volumes that sometimes back up to perimeter roads and that additional trailers from the county’s waste contractor have been requested to help manage traffic. Staff recommended a 15–30 minute buffer to allow staff to zero the scale, secure trailers and close the gate safely; the board chose a 30-minute buffer for the gate closure policy.
The board also directed staff to revisit fees and access controls for out-of-county users at a later meeting.
