Council approves plan to relocate dumpsters, state to fund removal of abandoned tires

Emery Town Council members discussed a plan on March 12 to relocate the town's dumpsters and burn pile to a gated area near the cemetery to reduce public dumping, and staff reported the Utah health department will fund removal of more than 200 abandoned tires.

Council members described a proposed layout that would place dumpsters and a controlled burn pit behind a new gate off the main road and north of the cemetery fence. Supporters said the new location would make monitoring easier and reduce visible dumping; the council agreed the gate would be locked daily.

State-funded tire removal A council member reported the health department had declared the tire site abandoned because it contained more than 200 tires and that the department will provide a list of approved vendors to haul the tires. The speaker said the state will fund the hauling so the town will not have to pay for the removal.

Burn permits and enforcement Fire/rescue staff reiterated the town's burn-permit process: residents should apply for permits online via the Emery County site and are asked to call the town office as a courtesy so staff know there will be a burn and can avoid unnecessary emergency responses. The fire/rescue staff asked for a courtesy text or call on the day of the burn and noted that burning household garbage is prohibited.

Enforcement and future controls Council members said the new site would be designed so unauthorized dumping is harder, that the town will post fines for violators and consider cameras at the site. The council also discussed working with a private contractor and county partners to cap and bury remaining debris after tires are removed.

No formal ordinance change was proposed at the meeting; the discussion recorded directions to staff about relocation logistics and enforcement measures.