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Supervisors hear rising pantry demand, conservation updates and recycling costs
Summary
Supervisors heard reports that pantry demand is up—Lake Park (51 households/105 people), Milford (82 households/174 people) and a 61-student backpack program—and discussed conservation projects, a REAP grant, and recycling center strains from commercial green-waste that may require a $400,000 scale or partnership with the landfill.
Supervisors reported growing demand at local food pantries and discussed county conservation projects and recycling-center financial strains at the Dickinson County Board meeting.
One supervisor said Lake Park’s pantry served 51 households (105 people) and Milford served 82 households (174 people) during the period discussed. The backpack program for schoolchildren has grown to 61 students. The board noted the Food Bank of Iowa and USDA supply pantry food and emphasized efforts to improve communication so newcomers learn where to go for assistance. A speaker praised a hospital dietitian who helped assemble shelf-stable meal packs.
Conservation updates included progress on Sherwood Park contract items and heavy use of the Spring Run Shooting Range. The conservation board has applied for a REAP improvement grant to fund a playscape; supervisors said they expect updates and possible completion by summer pending contract review.
Board members and Charles Bridal from the recycling center discussed mounting costs tied to commercial green‑waste disposal. Supervisors said commercial volumes of large trees and brush have overwhelmed the local collection center; options under consideration included buying a scale (estimated at about $400,000) to charge accurately by weight, purchasing a chipper, hiring staff, or partnering with the county landfill to process material. One participant summarized the trade-off: local chipping and disposal may be too costly for the recycling center to sustain without external support or new fees.
Other reports: the trails board accepted a bundled bid from Beck Excavating for three projects (Milford Trailhead, a water fountain and a Wahpeton Trailhead) and a retaining wall south of Cuddy’s; the county also hosted a land‑use planning session with the Confluence Group to coordinate countywide planning and municipal fringe-area participation.
The board did not take formal policy action on these items; they were reported for information and future follow-up.
