After heated public comments, supervisors order committee to address trash-site safety and enforcement

A string of public comments and staff discussions at the Southampton County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 25 prompted the board to direct the county administrator to organize an internal committee to address recurring problems at county trash-collection sites.

Longtime site attendant Dave Cox described hazardous working conditions at one site — standing water, overflowed dumpsters and personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages — and said he fears severe illness if current expectations continue. "If I was to get some kind of bad disease or something, it would probably kill me," Cox said, explaining that much of the heavy, contaminated cleanup requires equipment the attendants do not have.

Public works staff explained attendants are asked to pick up small amounts of trash while the county provides equipment (a bobcat) for large loads; staff also said enforcement against out-of-county license plates is limited unless attendants are willing to testify in court. Supervisors and residents described repeated instances of overflowing dumpsters and illegal dumping that strain the system.

Supervisors proposed forming a committee led by the county manager to meet with site attendants and develop practical solutions, including clearer job descriptions, improved protective equipment and operational fixes. The county administrator agreed to organize the committee and report back at a future meeting.

Board members said the subject will be added to future agendas for periodic updates until satisfactory procedures are implemented.