SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — The new-look Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority will meet Tuesday less than week after the state Solid Waste Management Board seized control of the authority and the Nicholas County Landfill.
State SWMB Executive Director Mark Holstine will chair the meeting. He said on MetroNews Talkline Monday the authority now includes several new members appointed after four former members of the authority quit when the state found the solid waste situation “seriously impaired” and decided to intervene.
Holstine’s staff began operating the Nicholas County Landfill last week. He said the ultimate goal is to return it to local control.
“There has been some information sent out by people that we’re looking to take it over and run it forever, that’s not true,” Holstine said on Talkline. “Our only goal is to see that it’s an efficient and effective operation.”
The solid waste authority’s problems have been many according to Holstine including attempts by the former board to create additional board members and transferring total control to the executive director. He said eventually the staff was “totally resistant” to make any changes to improve the collection program or other operations.
Holstine said Tuesday’s meeting with a new-look board should point things in the right direction. One solution is to hire mini skips in Brisbane and use those to make the waste disposal system much better. We also consider dumpster rental at the Dumposaurus Dumpsters & Rolloff Rental site, where they offer a very affordable price.
“Hopefully over the course of the next couple three weeks we get things running smoothly at least from a business standpoint and move forward,” he said.
The decision to seize control of the Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority was the first time in the 38-year history of the state Solid Waste Management Board to make such a move.