Bainbridge set for May 3 clean-up day

Preparing for clean-up day in Bainbridge was one of the topics at the Town Council meeting Wednesday evening. On May 3 from 8 a.m.-noon there will be dumpsters available to Bainbridge residents at no cost to get rid of any non-toxic trash.

Persons living outside the city will have to pay $5 to dump their trash. Those intending to bring trash should bring identification in the form of a utility bill or driver's license with them.

"This is not the same as Putnam County's Tox Away day which is set for May 31," said Thursa Evens. "Tires, refrigerators, things with compressors, toxic or hazardous waste like paint will not be accepted," she added.

During the event, an abandoned house will be dismantled, roadways and other areas of town will be cleaned up and the area around the Community Building will be "spruced up a bit."

A discussion took place about a dozen stepping-stones that were apparently stolen from the front of the Community Building.

The stones lead out to the flagpole and were red one-foot squares. Anyone with information about the missing the stones should contact Town Deputy Rodney Fenwick.

Town Council President Richard Cope said he would like to see crushed stone used in place of the stepping-stones this year. Utility Supervisor Jim Nelson also said there would be some trenching to create better drainage from the gutters on the building.

Town Clerk Jason Hartman reported this is the fourth year for the clean-up day that has been a big success.

"We've had several other towns contact us who want to do something similar," he claimed.

The town will also have several stumps that are located in rights-of-way ground out. A motion was approved to hire someone at a similar cost to last year, to grind out the stumps.

Council members approved applying for a recycling grant to purchase a chipper/shredder.

The grant will pay up to one-half the cost up to $25,000.

"This will give us a door in to get started in a recycling project that we can continue to build on," Utility Supervisor Jim Nelson stated.

"The fund grantor likes to get new communities involved in recycling programs. Several communities are already involved and they just keep expanding their programs. Potentially, we could pay up to $15,000 up front but the four utility departments could help pay as well," said Nelson.

In other business, council members:

*Approved the purchase of portable bleachers in the park at a cost of $5,565.

*Appointed Chris Brewer to the vacant position on the Plan Commission.

*Tabled a discussion about limiting parking on Main Street in front of Jim Watson's property.

Bainbridge Town Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Building.