NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council has voted to centralize tire disposal to the Transfer Station on S.C. 34.
Public Works Director Mike Pisano said the county has, from 2014 to 2016, experienced a 70 percent increase in the number of tires picked up from the 12 convenience centers.
“We have gone from 206 tons in 2014 to 346 tons in 2016,” he said. “I suggest we run with the tires as a pilot program. What I’d like to do is have them brought to the Transfer Station on Highway 34 as a centralized location. It would eliminate the double handling by county personnel. We may have to adjust the hours at the Transfer Station to accommodate all the residents.”
Pisano does not believe this would be that much of an inconvenience on Newberry County residents, due to the fact tires are not something people dispose of on a regular basis. If the pilot program works well, Pisano suggested they consider moving white goods, electronics and scrap metal to a centralized location, which are also having similar issues.
Council approved the centralized location for tires after Councilman Scott Cain made a motion and Councilman Travis Reeder seconded.
Other business
• Council recognized the following employees for their years of service: Mary Arrowood, Assessor – 10 years; Shawn Carnes, Sheriff’s Office – 15 years; John Cearley, Sheriff’s Office – 10 years; Paula Dominick, Sheriff’s Office – 30 years; Wanda Hill, Human Resource Director – 10 years; James Palmer, Sheriff’s Office – 10 years; and Casey Rembisz, Sheriff’s Office – 15 years.
• Council held a public hearing, for which no one spoke for or against, for an ordinance to provide appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018, for the county budget. The fiscal year 2017-18 budget is balanced at $23,911,852.
• Council held a public hearing, for which no one spoke for or against, for an ordinance providing appropriations for the Newberry County Library, Piedmont Technical College and Newberry Agency for Disabilities and Special Needs for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
• Council approved second reading of an ordinance to amend the official zoning map to rezone the acre parcel from Rural to General Commercial.
• Council approved second reading to rezone a 10-acre parcel from Rural to General Commercial.
• Council approved a mutual aid agreement between the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and Aiken County.
• Council approved a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month.