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Council approves relocation of Middleton food scrap collection site to University Avenue
Summary
The Middleton Common Council approved a $6,000 agreement with Dane County to continue the food scrap 'scrap stop' program and relocate collection bins to University Avenue; councilmembers raised concerns about locks, outreach and emergency access before voting to approve the relocation.
The Middleton Common Council on a voice vote approved an agreement with the Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables to continue the city’s food‑scrap collection 'scrap stop' program and move the Middleton site to University Avenue. The city estimated the fiscal impact at $6,000.
Councilmembers questioned how current users would be notified and whether the relocation could meet a May 15 funding deadline. “The locks are awful,” a councilmember said, noting that some residents have difficulty operating the current hardware. Planning staff said one contractor has indicated it can meet the May timeline and the city is collecting quotes from others.
Kelly, a planning staff member, said the county manages registrations and would help advertise the new location but does not collect address data on scrap‑stop users, limiting the city’s ability to map where participants live. Kelly added that the county would continue holding registrations and managing the program. The staff presentation noted Middleton’s site is the most used of seven Dane County scrap stops.
Councilmembers also asked whether fire and EMS had been consulted about driveway and circulation at the University Avenue location; staff said public works reviewed site logistics and believed there would be room for vehicles to pull out, but staff did not have a final clearance from fire or EMS. Snow‑removal responsibilities will fall under existing public works plowing line items and be treated similarly to bus‑stop plowing.
Staff described the scrap stop as an interim measure until a local biodigester near the landfill and potential future curbside composting render the stops less critical. Councilmembers discussed the possibility of adding a second scrap stop in the future but said that would depend on budgeting or a private host willing to operate a publicly accessible site.
After discussion, the council voted to approve the agreement and select the University Avenue site for relocation. The county will handle public notices and registrations and staff will proceed with contracting and scheduling.
