By JOSH NEWTON
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS
May 09, 2008 12:33 pm
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By JOSH NEWTON
Press Staff Writer
HULBERT – Hulbert residents will soon see an increase in their trash rates.
Mayor Ed Beckham and Trustee George Truitt approved the increase through Oklahoma Production Center on the recommendation of Hulbert Public Works Authority Superintendent Rickey Lee. Trustee Shirley Teague was absent.
The residential trash rate will increase from $7 to $8.50 July 1. HPWA had been collecting 25 cents of the fee as a billing charge, but when the new rate goes into effect, the authority will retain 75 cents of the cost.
The commercial rate, according to Steve Clay of OPC, will not be raised by OPC at this point, but that may happen later. HPWA will, however, add 50 cents to the current commercial rate to bring the billing charge up to the same 75 cents as residential rates.
Clay brought the matter before trustees at April’s monthly meeting, citing the rising cost of fuel and disposal cost. Clay said OPC has been absorbing the costs, and trustees agreed the service has been “above and beyond” normal requirements.
Trustees discussed uniform policy for the HPWA crew. Beckham said some crew members do not want to wear furnished shirts, which are 100-percent cotton to prevent static electricity while working with natural gas.
“It’s a safety issue that needs to be adhered to,” said Truitt.
Beckham said Lee talked with crew members about the issue, and that for the most part, the crew had been complying since the discussion. Lee was asked to check into whether there were similar government requirements with pants, and whether crew members are required to wear steel-toed boots.
Beckham, Truitt and Lee discussed the growing need to repair a fence near the town’s lagoons, and to clean up the area.
“People are moving around that area with families,” said Beckham.
He said trees had fallen into the fence, and bushes and shrubs have grown up in the area.
“We [also] need to post signs to try to keep people from swimming in fishing in it,” said Beckham.
Truitt agreed, and said the project needs to be completed “ASAP.”
“If that fence is down and we get cattle in there, and they tear up our fences or drown, we’re in more trouble than we can deal with,” said Beckham.
Recent abundance of rainfall has prevented some efforts at cleanup, according to Lee, but work that has been completed has the area “looking a lot better.”
Beckham said the state water resource board sent a letter stating that Hulbert had been recommended for a $75,000 grant for the water plant’s intake structure. Lee and Beckham will be traveling to Oklahoma City to meet with state officials over the matter.
“Hopefully, that will pay for part of that intake,” if the grant is approved, said Beckham.
Resident Clyde McGowan told the board he has noticed a few kids skateboarding in town, even after the city opened a skate park for them. “Is there a problem [with the skate park]?” McGowan asked.
Beckham said skateboarders have been using the park, but have also been seen in town.
“Our deal was the respect they would give the town ... and that we would work together, help them get the skate park, so they would not skate on sidewalks,” said Truitt.
The board and others in attendance agreed to remind the kids a skate park is available, but that it’s important to share equal respect between the city and the skateboarders. The board also approved two tort claims as recommended by the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group.
What’s next
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Hulbert Public Works Authority will be Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m. at the town hall building.
April police report
• Five arrests
• Eighteen vehicle impounds
• Fourteen speeding tickets
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