LUMBERTON — Robeson County officials are banking on a proposed ordinance to help keep waste that should be going into the Robeson County landfill in St. Paul from being shipped out of the county.
“When the flow goes down, the cost of operation (at the landfill) goes up,” County Attorney Hal Kinlaw told the commissioners on Monday. “That hurts everyone in the county.”
The commissioners set a hearing on the proposed ordinance for their next meeting, which is May 6. If eventually approved by the board, the ordinance would become effective at the beginning of next year.
Kinlaw told the commissioners that the ordinance is an attempt to stop companies contracted to dispose of demolition and other forms of solid waste from from Robeson County from taking it out of the county for disposal. Out-of-county disposal prevents the county from collecting tipping fees at its St. Pauls landfill, Kinlaw said.
In another environmental matter, the commissioners awarded a contract of up to $3,700 to PSI Engineers and Consultants, of Pembroke, to conduct an environmental site assessment of the former Swiss Piedmont property in Fairmont.
Charles Britt, the county’s interim assistant county manger until recently, told the board the assessment is needed before the property can be turned over to individuals interested in obtaining the property and cleaning it up. Britt said there are environmental hazards on the property, such as underground storage tanks.
“It is in pretty bad shape,” he said.
In other business, the commissioners on Monday:
— Appointed Jason King, the county’s new assistant manager, to serve as the county’s representative on the Four-County Community Services Board. King replaces Commissioner Hubert Sealey as the county’s representative.
— Recognized seven county employees for 30 or more years of service. Each employee received a watch and Robeson County pin from the commissioner representing that person’s district.
Those employees recognized for their service were: Denise Branch, District 2; James Jacobs Jr., District 5; Cynthia Lowry, District 5; Debbie Patterson, District 6; Catherine Baker, District 1; Linda Creel, District 6; and Regina Tyner, District 7.













