July 2006 Issue

Kaufman County Citizens’ Collection Station

Availability of garbage collection services varies dramatically across the region. In the urban areas we take weekly trash pick-up for granted but in rural areas, residents may have to rely on facilities known as “collection stations” or infrequent County Clean-up days. Such is the case in many parts of Kaufman County where the North Central Texas Council of Governments is currently working to provide a collection station to the rural and underserved southern portion of the county, just north of the town of Kemp.

In early 2005, the Assuring Capacity for Trash subcommittee of the Resource Conservation Committee determined that one of the regional priority projects for the coming biennium should be a rural collection station. These sites provide an invaluable service to surrounding communities by allowing a safe and legal disposal option for municipal solid waste, recyclables, used motor oil, tires and appliances. The committee determined that $100,000 should be enough to construct the facility, which would be a paved and fenced area with an air-conditioned building for personnel and large roll-off dumpsters for refuse. As state funds cannot be used for land purchases, eligible applicants would have to already have a piece of land for the site. County Commissioner Jim Dellar of Kaufman County precinct four purchased a five-acre parcel of land along I-75 in April 2005 with hopes of becoming an eligible competitor for the funds.

In January 2006, Mr. Dellar’s wish came true as the subcommittee accepted his application and planning began. To date, the site has been cleared and designed. Construction is ready to begin in early July. Over 30 citizens and local officials recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the final phase of this project. Commissioner Dellar was quoted as saying, “it has been a long, long journey and my work is just beginning.” Mr. Dellar’s county personnel will be responsible for constructing the facility with project management provided by NCTCOG’s Environment and Development staff. This is NCTCOG’s first foray into the construction of a facility within the region.

Construction is anticipated to conclude late summer 2006. The facility will accept recyclables at no charge and will also take refuse, tires, batteries, furniture and appliances that do not contain Freon. For further information, please contact Dr. Patricia Redfearn, Ph.D. at (817) 608-2360 or predfearn@nctcog.org.

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