Dumping issues

Problems at Everly's dump sparked considerable discussion during Monday's council meeting.

According to Council Member Shaun Iske, the area has been littered with untagged toilets, appliances, wood entertainment centers, windows, TVs and more. He suggested the city purchase a better camera system to monitor the site and implement a stricter fine schedule for those who violate the rules.

"It looks horrible down there again. It's bad," he said. "It's turned into the old dump."

The location was cleaned out this spring, but quickly filled up with unpaid junk. The city allows people to buy tags to drop off unwanted items for future pick up, however, residents aren't buying them.

The cost of the tags depends on the item itself. For example, one ton of construction material costs $35, while old tube TVs and those greater than 25 inches in width cost $25.

New signage at the dump was also discussed to better inform people of the rules.

"I think we need to let people know you can't just dump whatever you want down there," Iske said.

The council ultimately agreed to spend $1,000 in an effort to curb the issues. A new camera system will be purchased and a dumpster will be acquired to clean up the existing mess.

"There are people that are following the rules and doing it right and there's a group of people that obviously aren't," say Mayor Ron Thompson. "It's enforcement."

In related business, the council set fall clean up day for Tuesday, Oct. 4. The household hazardous material trailer will also be in town that day for Everly residents to drop off materials from 1-3 p.m. at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center.