Winnebago County supervisors weigh camera, signage and Wi‑Fi options to curb misuse of rural recycling site

Winnebago County supervisors discussed persistent problems at a rural recycling drop‑off in Thompson on Monday, including higher-than-expected volume, large commercial items and material appearing to come from outside the county recycling program.

The discussion grew from reports that the site has been filling much faster recently and that large items — notably 2½‑gallon car‑wash soap jugs and WCTA boxes — are taking disproportionate space. County staff and supervisors discussed three interventions: installing signage to restrict use, mounting a surveillance camera to deter and document misuse, and providing a Wi‑Fi connection or a mobile hotspot so a contractor can remotely check bin fullness.

Supervisors said the contractor (referred to in the meeting as Chris) reported the volume has “really increased,” and that crews sometimes find bins full within days. County members and staff said that, where possible, flattening or breaking down large containers could help capacity; they also noted some materials do not collapse well and therefore take more space.

Options discussed: - Camera: Supervisors discussed low‑cost Wi‑Fi‑enabled exterior cameras (brand discussed in the meeting: Wyze) that record continuously or on motion, allow remote access for multiple users, and can be pointed to capture vehicle approaches. Participants noted the need to decide whether to buy a motion‑activated trail camera (lower cost, limited feed) or a higher‑resolution camera that streams and stores video. Several supervisors said at least two staff should have access to the feed and that the contractor should be able to check bin status remotely to avoid wasted trips. - Wi‑Fi / hotspot: The board explored paying a portion of an existing local Wi‑Fi account at a nearby building (the library was suggested) or using a mobile hotspot; participants estimated a hotspot could run roughly $35–$40 per month and said a shared library connection might be cheaper and offer higher bandwidth. They discussed reimbursing the library for service and mounting options for a camera on the library or a nearby shop building. The board asked staff to research whether extending library Wi‑Fi or using a dedicated hotspot was the more cost‑effective option. - Signage and placement: Supervisors suggested a short, clear sign that states the site is monitored and intended for rural residents only, and discussed where to place a post without interfering with vehicle access. They agreed signage should be concise and consider local parcel/utility ownership (Alliant/Heartland) before mounting signs on poles or library property.

Other enforcement and program options mentioned included: adding phone numbers to the recycling trailer for a single point of contact; producing more frequent checks of the site while a long‑term solution is implemented; and potentially partnering with neighboring Worth County, which runs staffed recycling sites, if budget or operational constraints make multiple local sites impractical.

Supervisors also discussed the possibility that some commercial accounts have rural mailing addresses or rural storage, which creates gray areas (for example, rural owners who operate a town business). They noted that some nearby towns (Thompson, Rake, Buffalo Center) have different curbside or contracted recycling arrangements, which complicates enforcement.

Nut graf: After hearing reports that the Thompson rural recycling site has become fuller and faster to fill, the board focused on low‑cost technical and operational fixes — a camera and signage supported by a Wi‑Fi connection or hotspot — while directing staff to research costs, placement, and partnership options and to return with recommendations at the next meeting.

The board asked staff (Brody and others present) to contact the Thompson library to ask whether the library would permit a camera mounting and whether the county could reimburse the library for incremental Wi‑Fi costs. Supervisors asked staff to draft sign language, estimate equipment and recurring costs (camera, mounting, Wi‑Fi or hotspot) and identify who would have access to the footage. The board also agreed to consider whether multiple rural sites are feasible within current budget limits.

The item was referred to the next meeting for further research and a potential formal decision.

Ending: Supervisors emphasized this was an operational fix intended to reduce public calls and reduce the volume of non‑rural material at the site; they requested cost estimates and a proposed sign design for the next agenda.