To recycle or not to recycle?

ODESSA – The Odessa Town Council met April 26 in the community center with a full complement of council members but missing Mayor Bill Crossley. Mayor pro tem Kelly Watkins chaired the meeting.

After dealing with financial matters, the council discussed the recycling program provided to the town by Lincoln County. The Town of Odessa pays for this program to the tune of about $390/week for the cardboard pickup alone. Reports from some council members indicated that there was currently no real market for cardboard and that most or all of it ends up in landfills anyway. The consensus of the council was that the program would either be discontinued or require a surcharge on patrons utility bills to cover the cost. The issue was tabled pending more concrete cost information.

Watkins arranged a call-in report from the Davenport office of Rural Resources Victims Services. The organization serves victims of crime by providing assistance with legal procedures, use of shelters, help with court orders and the like. Also included are a children’s advocacy center, community engagement activities and educational training.

Council members approved:

• a request to waive overages in water usage due to a broken residential pipe that went undetected until the first meter reading of the spring showing that usage was exorbitant

• an extension of the negotiating agreement with Convergent Solar that was due to expire

• permits for a fence and two reroof applications

Watkins proposed the purchase of a digitized speed sign in one of two designs costing either $3,100 or $3,600. Consensus of the rest of the council was that there was not room in this year’s budget for such an expenditure and that it might be considered in next year’s budget.

Police Chief Les Jimerson reported that he currently had two candidates for the open police officer position, one whose application had arrived only that day. He noted that Odessa faces stiff competition in its search, as many other law enforcement departments are also looking for qualified candidates. He also reported four traffic stops, a complaint of harassment of a child, a civil standby request, a junk vehicles complaint, a fence permit issue and an ongoing death investigation. He also participated in a middle management training program during the past two weeks.

Public Works Director Rod Webster reported that the community cleanup day went well with help from volunteers and a community service person. He also reported a failed air blower at the wastewater treatment plant. Plans are to flush the town’s hydrants sometime this spring. He reminded citizens that Odessa is under a countywide burn ban due to warm temperatures and lack of rain.

Council meets next on Monday, May 10.