Resident warns recycling-center changes could create safety, litter problems; county staff cites revenue shortfall and enforcement steps

A Point Lookout Mountain homeowners association officer told the Grayson County Board of Supervisors that reopening a county recycling/trash drop-off could create a safety hazard on Peach Bottom Road and lead to illegal dumping.

"Although we only have 10 residents that live on the mountain, it is built up, and I would like to point out to you ... it could become a major safety concern on Peach Bottom Road," Carol Trendcamp said during the public comment period. Trendcamp said county limits allow four 32-gallon cans per resident; for 10 residents that could produce about 40 cans at a single location and "that could create a real safety hazard for anybody that travels on that road." She also said many mountain residents are part-time and have no convenient alternative for metal recycling, which she said increases the risk of dumping at the end of the community's driveway.

County staff addressed the board during the administrative report and reiterated why the county closed some drop-off bins: the county no longer has the agreement it previously had with the town of Independence (and related contracts), which created a revenue shortfall for public works when town residents used county facilities. The administrator said reopening the bins without an interlocal agreement would require the county to pay hauling costs that would effectively subsidize the town's contracted service. "It was in the best interest of our taxpayers to close that or else the cost was gonna continue to rise," the county administrator said.

Staff offered alternatives to address access concerns: one supervisor suggested placing a dumpster in each magisterial district on a rotating monthly schedule (for example, Old Town first Saturday, Providence second Saturday), and staff said the county could explore staffing options that would allow Saturday service without adding net labor costs by offering compensatory weekdays off. The administrator said county staff has received numerous calls about the closure and would pursue options and community communication.

Separately, staff said the county is experiencing problems with people dumping trash into recycling bins at several locations, and the county will install cameras and review collected materials to identify violators. "We're gonna set cameras up and...if we can find out who it is, I'll ask the sheriff to take action on it," the county administrator said. Staff also said some parts of the county's recycling operation are profitable because county workers sort recyclables, while private haulers sometimes decline that sorting work.

The administrator provided a contact number for residents seeking more information about right-of-way tree and debris cleanup (276-613-9554) and asked residents to report illegal dumping or damage at county sites so the county can investigate and pursue enforcement.

The board did not take formal action on the Point Lookout Mountain request during the meeting; staff said it would follow up with the community and consider options for restoring service or providing alternatives.