Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Scott County supervisors approve recycling MOU, school EPS exemption and letters of support
Summary
The board approved a memorandum of understanding to use Sullivan County’s recycling facility, granted a one‑year exemption to the school division from Virginia's expanded polystyrene ban, voted to advertise an erosion‑control ordinance hearing and agreed to send a letter supporting the Cane Gap land acquisition. Several administrative appointments and routine bills were also approved.
At its regular meeting, the Scott County Board of Supervisors approved several administrative and operational measures, including an interlocal recycling agreement, a temporary school exemption from the statewide expanded polystyrene ban and a letter of support for a conservation land acquisition.
Recycling MOU: The board voted to authorize the county to sign a memorandum of understanding with Sullivan County to accept Scott County’s recyclables at Sullivan’s Blountville facility. County public‑works staff outlined the scope: paper and cardboard, plastics labeled 1–7, aluminum and steel cans and other mutually agreed recyclables. Staff warned the board about logistics—driver shortages, the need for dedicated cardboard runs using packer/puller trucks, dumpster capacity at convenience sites and the risk of contamination at unmanned sites—but argued regional acceptance could divert thousands of tons from the landfill. Following discussion, the motion to execute the MOU passed by voice vote.
School EPS exemption: A school system representative asked the board to grant a one‑year local exemption for Scott County Public Schools from the Virginia ban on expanded polystyrene for foodservice items, citing existing inventory of EPS products and a lack of suitable cooperative purchasing substitutes. The board voted to grant the one‑year exemption as requested.
Cane Gap letter and other procedural items: The board also voted to send a letter of support for a proposed land purchase to improve access to Cane Gap and the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail (requested by Robert Chapman of Natural Tunnel State Park). Supervisors authorized advertising a public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s erosion and sediment control ordinance (hearing to be scheduled in August) and approved payment of claims totaling $191,347.77 and a $1,000 contingency allocation for Duffield Days.
Why it matters: The recycling MOU could restore county recycling services after a multi‑year hiatus and reduce landfill tonnage, while the school EPS exemption gives the school division a limited, local waiver to manage supply transition. The erosion‑control ordinance advertising begins a formal, state‑mandated public process. The board asked staff to return with implementation details and cost projections where appropriate.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the MOU signature and logistics, schedule the public hearing for the ordinance revisions, and follow up on budget impacts and operational requirements at future meetings.
