The Franklin County Commission approved a detailed Solid Waste Management Plan at its June 19th meeting.
The plan, prepared by Southern Environmental Engineering of Florence, provides a plan for the management of solid waste within Franklin County and puts into place the necessary procedures so that solid waste management facilities may be planned, developed and operated within the county along with the inclusion of public involvement in the county's solid waste management plan.
There was no public input received at the public hearing on the plan which was set immediately before the Monday morning meeting.
After reviewing its current plan earlier this year, commissioners determined that it did not provide sufficient flexibility to meet the county's needs. Southern Environmental Engineering was retained to update the plan to comply with requirements of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Five of the six municipalities within Franklin County elected to participate in the county's plan with Red Bay being the exception. The Town of Red Bay has developed its own plan and decided not to participate.
The new Solid Waste Management Plan will be good for ten years through 2027.
“We can go in and amend the plan anytime with a majority vote of the commission,” said Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore. “This plan meets state guidelines for management of solid waste within Franklin County.”
The estimated breakdown of solid waste generated in Franklin County includes 28.5% paper, 13.9% food scraps, 13.4% yard trimmings, 12% plastics, 9% metals 8.4% rubber, leather and textiles, 6.4% wood and 4.6% glass.
A significant modification from the prior plan comes in the process of how new solid waste management facilities must be approved. Public participation is a key element of the plan and local governments must provide notice to the public and allow for public comment prior to entering into any contracts or making any changes involving the collection, transport or disposal of solid waste within Franklin County according to the plan.
In other action, the commission:
--approved the hiring of Matt Miller as a full-time, permanent employee with the Franklin County Solid Waste Department; approved Jason Tyson as a temporary employee and approved the termination of Michael Bonds and James Leon Smith.
--approved the hiring of Elaine Mitchell as a temporary custodian in the Franklin County Courthouse.
--approved the following temporary employees to be hired by the Franklin C County Highway Department at a rate of $10/hour: Butch Harkness, Harold Harp, Sheldon Ergle, Donnie Hastings, Tristan Johnson, Jaydee Phifer, Michael Shivers, Barry Walker and Bailey Motes.
--recognized the Phil Campbell Fishing Team and Russellville High School varsity baseball team for their state championships.
--agreed to advertise for the possible vacation of a portion of Jackson Military Road (Cty. Rd. 122).
--reappointed Danny McDowell, Margaret Jackson, Gene Thorn and Grant Atkins to the Franklin County Archives Advisory Board.
--set a minimum of 10 percent of the 150 county employees to participate in any optional insurance plan in order to utilize payroll deduction.
--approved a one year extension of the contract with BFI Waste Services to handle certain solid waste hauling and disposal for Franklin County. The agreement shall run through September 30, 2018.
