July 15, 2024 |
Photo – Medicine Bow, WY sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
The town of Medicine Bow is offering a free garbage removal weekend for residents.
In the past, the Medicine Bow public works department arranged a community clean-up day where residents could have trash taken to the dump for free. Town workers collected all types of refuse, including large appliances and chemicals.
During the July 8th Medicine Bow town council meeting, the governing body voted to bring back the free community clean-up event. However, Public Works Director Brian Lashley said during previous clean-up days, the town spent nearly $9,000 disposing of appliances and chemicals. The price tag can be halved by refusing to take that type of garbage, said Lashley.
Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer said the town should haul away regular trash for free, but charge for tires and large appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators.
Councilman Lee Cook asked if an additional fee will discourage residents from throwing those specific items away. Mayor Justin George and Councilman Trevor Strauch said the low price to dispose of tires should entice people to participate in the clean-up days.
Mayor George said the town should cover the cost of normal garbage removal and charge a fee to haul away appliances and tires. Due to the high cost of disposal, the mayor said all chemicals will be denied.
Mayor George offered to use his personal skid steer during the community clean-up days. Councilwoman Wickizer said a Medicine Bow resident has also volunteered his heavy equipment for the event, but at a cost: two fence posts.
Public Works Director Lashley said he has over 30 unused fence posts to offer the resident for his assistance.
The town council voted to trade the fence posts in exchange for labor.
The Medicine Bow community clean-up days will be Thursday, August 8th, to Saturday, August 10th. Public Works Director Lashley will post a list of items that the town will either accept for a fee or decline altogether before that time.
