Curbside recycling costs loom as a big 2020 issue in county

Most Allegan County municipalities are bracing for the likelihood that recycling program costs will increase again next year, and some will grapple with a proposal to raise the household rate to $50 per year.

The Leighton Township Board Thursday evening did not take any action, but was forewarned that it may have to seek a curbside recycling surcharge increase on the August primary ballot.

Township Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis noted that several years ago voters approved paying $36 per year. The cost was $25 annually when it was started, but as Supervisor Steve Deer point out, “After we started our recycling program, the market (for recycled materials) went into a tank.”

Nieuwenhuis said the current $36 “barely covers our costs. We’re at a break-even point.”

She said board members will have to decide by May if they wish to put the question before voters in August. She added that if the request fails, the township will have to go back to charging $25 per household which wouldn’t be adequate, therefore, the curbside recycling program would have to be eliminated.

Area municipalitie, before curbside was established, had recycling drop-off sites, usually at the township hall. It required residents to bring their recyclable materials to the site themselves.

In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:

• Was told by Deer that because of the costs of reconstructing and paving 144^th Avenue, there will be no other road projects in the township in 2020.

“We’re probably not going to do any other projects (in 2020),” he said, “and will just maintain what we have.”

• Was told by Steve Shoemaker of the Citizens’ Road Committee that he plans to meet next week with Road Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Sandel of Dorr Township to get some pointers on how to raise funds and earmark them for sorely needed road projects.
• Learned from Deer that there were nine building permits issued in October, with a total value of $1.6 million. Leighton, still regarded as one of the fastest growing townships in Michigan, to date this year has issued 52 permits for $9.3 million.

“We’re expecting about a 40% increase in population (in the 2020 census over 2010),” the supervisor said.

• Approved the reappointments of Ron Schrotenboer to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Lou Marry to the Planning Commission and Deer and Steve Wolbrink to the Ambulance Board for Wayland Area Emergency Services.

The Board of Appeals term of Bob Skinner also is expiring at the end of this year, but Deer hasn’t had a chance to speak with him about serving another term.