ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.
“Penny wise and pound foolish” is an ancient saying from Merry Olde England that describes the process of pinching pennies to save money but eventually paying big bucks as a consequence of their decisions and actions.
Dorr Township and Allegan County would do well to take this old saying under serious advisement when considering the growing costs of recycling services.
The Kent County Department of Public Works gave an important presentation to the Dorr Township Planning Commission about an effort to step up recycling efforts in order to avoid the much more costly, financially and otherwise, alternative of running out of spaces to store our garbage, our trash.
“Reimagine Trash” was a call to arms to do what’s necessary to slow down and eventually eliminate the need to throw stuff away. If we just keep on doing what we’re doing, we will have to open a new landfill in Dorr Township, Allegan County, just across the road from the Kent County landfill, where our refuse is parked today.
Local officials and concerned business representatives estimate that Allegan County has until 2030, when the Kent County rubbish facility will be full enough to be closed down. Then the burden of accepting solid waste will fall on a landfill in the northeastern portion of Allegan County. The downside is more than just being a nuisance.
There has been some wailing and gnashing of teeth about prospects of increased costs for recycling in this county. Many local governments in the last several years have approved, however reluctantly, a proposal to permit a levy of $36 a year per household for curbside recycling. Dorr Township voters approved it by the slimmest of margins, forcing a recount, on the November 2018 ballot.
So it appears that many people are complaining about the increasing costs of recycling, even enough to vote against making it easy to do by using the curbside method. Actually, they don’t seem to understand the long view, that recycling today could save us a lot of money tomorrow and perhaps the environment as well.
Sir,
You are very correct. This is a very important issue not only for Dorr Township but Allegan County.
The thing that is frustrating is supposedly some of the township and possibly County leaders have been discussing this. Have put together a 102 page book describing this project.
I’ve been told there is a copy I can look thru at the township hall. But because it is 102 pages it’s to expensive to have additional copies.
Here are the questions I haven’t gotten answers to.
1. Does every township hall have at least one cooy??
2. Why isn’t there at least one copy at the library in Dorr so the public can read it without distraction, or being in the presence of township officials.
3. I hope read it in the next few days at the Township Hall ( unless it mysteriously disappears)
4. When a township can’t use 4 reams of copy paper and one toner cartridge to made a couple copies to have at the library and township. One has to question how have they been able to do all the purchasing this administration has done since coming into office.
Till I learn more I will reserve judgment on cost, environmental impact, what and where facilities are needed or will be for this project,
I am just cautious when a project involving 102 pages of description and charts suddenly appears at a commission meeting without being on the agenda before hand.
Things can and are added before a meeting, hopefully before it is discussed again there will be enough notice, so those concerned can attend.
Found link to whole document in pdf format so everyone can have their own copy.
http://www.reimaginetrash.org/wp-content/uploads/delightful-downloads/2018/10/FINAL-Kent-County-SBP-Master-Plan_26-Sept-2018.pdf
Great work Jim thanks.
Mr. Martin
Thank you for the link. Do not know if you read the whole 102 pages.
I believe the following pages are very Interesting and have some questions that may require more information or answers.
They are Pages 11,16,22 (last few sentences), 26,28,30,31 32,35, chapter 4 (all of it), whole section on funding sources, 89 (map showing a possible on off ramp at 146th Ave), whole section of 9 to the end.
The whole project is focused on Kent County. But the majority is proposed for the acreage they own in Allegan County. With Dorr Township and Allegan County only slightly mentioned in regards to the land and the county because of the rerouting of the Red Drain, 146th Ave and 14th Street.
But you may be correct in your followup post to my comment. Does it not seem strange to you that this has been in the works since November 2017, supposedly some 80+ million people worldwide were made aware of this project, and yet until now hardly any in Dorr Township know.
Yes, Kent County bought the land, but the facilities they propose will surely affect many of us, not only with increased trash and recycling fees, but also possible side effects as traffic, infrastructure, air quality, runoff of water, possible environmental hazards if there is an accident or fire.
So am I cocerned? Yes. And so should the townships bordering the east and west of Dorr Township.
Is it legal for an adjacent county (Kent) to purchase property in neighboring county (Allegan, Dorr Twp.) as a municipality. Do they or do they get approval from Dorr Township Board for this land acquisition for this type of industrial waste operation?
Mr. Gesink
I am no lawyer and have been out of real estate for many years now.
I believe a landowner can sell their to whom ever they want on any agreed price by both parties
The new buyer would have to check how the property is zoned or get it rezoned .
This property is zoned industrial agriculture in Dorr Townships master plan.
Even though Kent County has been working on this project since 2017. It has only come to the attention of persons like myself when Kent County Dept.of Public Works approached Dorr’s planning commission.
From reading the 102 page report which Mr Martin so kindly posted. Explains, what the project hopes are.
I am not against this project. But do have some concerns and questions regarding possible cost increases for trash and recycle pickup, traffic, and other questions.
If one takes the time to read the 102 page project you will better understand what is proposed for that 200 +acres .