Cresco City Yard Waste Site open for 90 days

CRESCO - Approximately 15 concerned business people and citizens came to the Cresco City Council meeting on March 17 about the Cresco City Yard Waste Site, located southwest of the community near Vernon Springs. 

The site, according to Public Works Supervisor Dave Brenno,  has been locked in recent weeks due to a fire and illegal dumping taking place over the winter months.  He stated, “hot ashes were placed in the tree pile which caused a fire.”  

The fire department responded to that fire, costing the city thousands of dollars, but also causing a public nuisance for the City Council and city workers.

Brenno also pointed out there had been prohibited items dumped at the waste yard site including treated lumber, plastic pots, furniture, garbage and even concrete at times.  

Ryan Henry, who was attending the meeting, expressed his concerns about having access to the City of Cresco facility by key, available only during business hours.  

“This really does not work for working residents,” stated Henry. “When I need to use the Waste Site all is closed.”

Another individual, Jackie Fish, recommended installing additional cameras to make it easier to identify individuals coming into the facility.  It would also ID people who are disposing unauthorized items and those who are not residents. 

Kelly Quam, also attending, recommended issuing fines to residents who drop off prohibited items, following the definition of what’s on the sign entering the Crsco Waste/Compost Site.  Point blank, on that sign, it states what is acceptable and what is not.  The “not” is plastic bags, ashes, roots or stumps.  As for what is acceptable is grass clippings, leaves, sticks, twigs, garden waste, flowers, branches (cut to size), fire wood, wood chips and tree limbs (no longer than 10 foot). 

Also on the sign are “Surveillance Cameras In Use” and “Trees and Yard Waste Only. Violators May Be Fined up to $750.00.”

Another individual suggested a “card system” where a special key-card would be needed to enter the site, similar to what is used at the ethanol plants in the area.  He pointed out that the card being used would tell you who the individual is, what time they used the facility, and possibly more.  Cost, never-the-less, would be a huge factor in making the system work, and with budget constraints already in the works, it would be difficult to establish. Brenno did state that he will still seek bids on this type of system, however.

City Council members Jan Carman and Gary Kreiner both had concerns regarding access to the facility for the working residents of Cresco.  With spring season soon to come, home owners will be wanting to use the site for dumping clippings, branches and more.