Commissioners discuss recycling, public transportation at Boonsboro meeting

September 28, 2010|By DAVE McMILLION

BOONSBORO -- Curbside recycling, public transportation for Boonsboro and improvements for Monroe Road were among the issues discussed Tuesday night when the Washington County Commissioners met at the Eugene C. Smith Community Center in Shafer Park.

The commissioners held the meeting in Boonsboro so they could discuss issues with town officials.

Boonsboro residents have pushed for curbside recycling in the county in the past and some have described recycling in the county as being in the "Dark Ages."

Rosemary James of the Boonsboro Recycling Task Force brought up the issue again Tuesday night.

Saying recycling was "your responsibility and our responsibility," James told the commissioners she was looking for leadership on establishing curbside recycling in the county.

Commissioner William J. Wivell said the focus is on curbside recycling but there are other options. Wivell said he also is troubled by the cost of offering curbside recycling.

James argued that recycling is a "value" and added that children are being taught the importance of saving the environment.

"It's easy to say it's going to cost too much," James said.

Town officials also discussed with the commissioners the importance of improving Monroe Road, which turns off Md. 34 and leads to baseball fields and the town's sewage treatment plant.

Part of the road is narrow and poses safety dangers because it is difficult for two cars to pass, Town Council member Cynthia Kauffman has said.

Joe Kroboth III, director of public works for the county, said Tuesday he looked at Monroe Road and could see it had deteriorated significantly since he last viewed it.

Commissioner Terry Baker said a "pot of money" has surfaced since the commissioners opened a bid that came in lower than expected and he proposed setting aside about $100,000 to $125,000 to help Boonsboro with its road needs.

Commissioner Kristin B. Aleshire said there is an evaluation process to determine which roads in the county get the fastest attention, and he said he did not want to deviate from that process.

Mayor Charles F. "Skip" Kauffman Jr. said he wants to see some type of public transportation extended to Boonsboro, but Kroboth said there are cost challenges to deal with.

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