Oldenburg recycling

Debbie Blank

Now that the cost for Oldenburg to recycle some residents’ trash has increased tenfold (from a $62 monthly rate to an average of $630 each month with CGS, Morristown), council member Dennis Moeller is investigating how much competitors Best Way and Linkel Co. will charge for the same service, he said at the Oct. 6 council meeting.

“I am actively pursuing other avenues. Until we come up with a better plan,” residents still may transport their recyclables to a 40-cubic-yard container with sliding doors at the county highway garage on Harvey’s Branch Road. “The plan is not to discontinue it if we can possibly do so, but we can’t afford to keep doing what we’re doing long term.”

He had a few recycling reminders: The service is for Oldenburg residents only, not businesses. “There are at least two businesses using that. We’ll talk to them.” Also, residents need to flatten cardboard boxes so they take up less space. “We get charged per container,” Moeller pointed out.

Meanwhile, the council wants to improve a road before asphalt plants close for the winter. “We’re trying to move forward on finishing up” repaving and adding curbs and gutters to Sycamore Street, which runs along Harvey’s Branch Creek between the Vine Street bridge to the town limits by the sewer plant. The late John Graf of Barth & Associates, Greensburg, did the project’s engineering work, which now will be overseen by Drew Barth. “We just ran into more of an expense on it .... It’s still up in the air.” Council President David Wahman will get another bid on gravel, which will be used to flatten the street in some areas.

“There are a lot of people in town that would like to legalize golf carts,” which would be more economical to operate than larger vehicles, Dan Weigel told members Aug. 4. While initially Oldenburg leaders were interested, town attorney Tom O’Connor observed to attendees Oct. 6 “this is going to be a much bigger issue than us just doing an ordinance,” Moeller reported. O’Connor felt ordinances enacted by other Hoosier towns allowing golf carts on streets may not be legal because the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, not just town officials, must be involved.

The attorney is hoping the issue is on the state Legislature’s agenda soon. Oldenburg officials tabled action until January.

A request to close sections of two streets in Werner’s Second Addition still is not resolved. In August, Patrick and Charla Westerfeld asked the council to abandon sections of Werner and Water streets. They want to build a home there and closing the ends of these streets would enable them to have a porch or deck. Last month members agreed that vacating the end of one of the streets was acceptable, but not both. Neighbors are at odds about the best solution. Dick Dietz presented a letter to members Sept. 8 stating he was opposed to vacating Water Street. On Oct. 6 Doug Fullenkamp said he does not want Werner Street closed. O’Connor, who was advising Westerfelds and Fullenkamps that night after the meeting, according to Moeller, could not be reached for comment.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

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