TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR

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List of stories about San Juan County Solid Waste Division

Town terminates county lease

posted 05/24/04
Friday Harbor Town Council voted 4 to 1 to terminate the county's lease of the transfer station property used for recycling on San Juan Island. The council plans to offer a new lease for less space at a higher price to the county. The county has been paying $10 per month. The town wants to make up some of the cost of the increased dumping fees imposed by the county in April.

Councilmember Wally Gillette suggested waiting until a new lease has been negotiated before terminating the old one. He voted against the resolution which allows the town to order the county to vacate the site in as early as 30 days or September 30, 2004 at the latest.

Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld said terminating the lease provides an incentive for negotiating. Councilmember Debbie Emery encouraged town staff to negotiate the lease as soon as possible.

The county has a long-term lease for the part of the Sutton Road property it uses for the Solid Waste garbage operation. The recycling bins will be moved to that area if negotiations aren't successful.

Town raises garbage rates

posted 04/15/04
The per can charge for garbage collection in Friday Harbor increases by a dollar to $5.75 per can beginning May 1, 2004. Friday Harbor Town Council approved the rates April 15, 2004 in order to cover the increased tipping fees imposed by the county.

Town Attorney Don Eaton clarified a statement made by county Prosecutor Randy Gaylord at the April 13, 2004 Board of County Commissioners meeting regarding an offer to pay the town $15,000. He was concerned citizens would think the town turned down $15,000 and raised the rates instead. "The only offer made was linked to the town agreeing to provide a water connection," he said. "We have not had an unconditional offer.&uuot;

Eaton believes if the town allowed the county to have a water hookup it would open up a "whole can of worms." The town is leery about setting a precedent. They have been sued in the past by out of town residents who want to connect to the town's water system.

Town to raise garbage rates

posted 04/15/04
The per can charge for garbage collection in Friday Harbor will increase by a dollar to $5.75 per can beginning May 1, 2004 if the Friday Harbor Town Council approves new rates. A second and final reading of the proposed ordinance takes place at the April 15, 2004 evening Town Council meeting in Town Hall. No one from the public commented on the proposed rates at the April 1, 2004 council meeting.

The rate increase is in response to the county’s rate hike. The cost for collection of one can will go up to $5.75. The town’s refuse department collects garbage and recycling from town residents. San Juan Sanitation collects recycling from businesses.

Town Administrator King Fitch told the council they could decide to run their own transfer station and bypass the county altogether. A study to determine the feasibility of the town running its own separate solid waste program would cost approximately $8,000. At this point the council has not indicated a desire to fund the study.

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