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Kent County establishes Beaver Pond Estates garbage district after resident petition
Summary
After a public hearing, Kent County Levy Court approved Resolution 41-30 to create Beaver Pond Estates Garbage Collection District No. 198, following testimony from residents who said multiple private haulers created traffic and cost concerns.
Kent County Levy Court voted 7-0 on Oct. 14 to establish Beaver Pond Estates Garbage Collection District Number 198 after a public hearing during which neighborhood leaders said the district would reduce traffic from multiple private haulers and lower household costs.
The resolution, introduced by Sam Bautista, Kent County public works director, would allow the county to contract for curbside collection in Beaver Pond Estates (lots 1–32, off Beebe Road in Harrington) and assess users for the cost. "A petition to establish the Beaver Pond Estates garbage collection district was completed by at least 25 property owners in the proposed district," Bautista told Levy Court during the hearing.
Why it matters: Residents said multiple private companies serving the subdivision created safety and property-damage issues on the development's single ingress and egress, and that a county district would standardize service and lower bills. "Some of our residents are paying over $125 per quarter for their trash removal services," Laura Fariello, the Beaver Pond homeowners association secretary and treasurer, told the court. "Since our road is a public street, we feel that we are entitled to the service that the county offers, and we can also help our homeowners save money." Adam Warner, HOA president, said the petition reflected broad neighborhood support and emphasized safety for children who play in the streets.
Levy Court action: Vice President Scott moved to adopt Resolution 41-30; Commissioner Angel seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as seven ayes and the hearing was closed.
Supporting details and next steps: County staff will arrange the county contract for collection and begin assessing district users. Bautista told the court staff recommends opening the public hearing and collecting testimony to determine whether to create the district; after the hearing the court adopted the resolution. The HOA representatives said the county program offers weekly recycling (rather than biweekly) and an optional yard-waste service that they expect will help households save money.
The record: Resolution 41-30 passed by a 7-0 roll call vote. The resolution and petition information will be incorporated into the county record and staff will proceed with contracting and user assessments.
Speakers quoted or directly referenced in this article: Sam Bautista, Public Works Director (Kent County government); Adam Warner, President (Beaver Pond Estates Homeowners Association, resident); Laura Fariello, Secretary/Treasurer (Beaver Pond Estates Homeowners Association, resident); Vice President Scott (Kent County Levy Court).
