THE JEFFERSON-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority discussed the hiring of a temporary driver for the months of May through August at the monthly meeting Monday evening.
Before making a motion to move the matter to the personnel committee, the board said those months are, by far, the busiest, and members said Wintersville will be "swamped," as it is already.
The board weighed its options as to whether or not part-time help should be hired in both Belmont and Jefferson County as well as what the hours would consist of.
Solid Waste Authority Executive Director Patrick Lanaghan said these temporary positions cannot last longer than six months and they wouldn't include benefits.
The board agreed more staffing would help, as the recycling bins at the Wintersville Riesbeck's and Kroger are overflowing.
Lanaghan also noted that hiring a part-time person would allow the present staff to take vacation time.
In other matters, the board adopted a resolution honoring former chairman of the solid waste authority, Mark Thomas for his years of service to the board. The Chair of the Board, Tom Bottorf read the resolution, which recognized Thomas' exemplary service to the organization and board from 2001-2008.
According to Bottorf, "recycling figures more than tripled during the years Thomas served as chairman."
"You left some very big shoes to fill," Bottorf concluded.
Additionally, Lanaghan gave the board several year end numbers and reported that the Apex Landfill fees increased slightly over 2007 and went form $1,592,000 to $1,607,000, an increase of about $15,000.
He also noted that the transfer station in Belmont County increased from about 46,000 to 59,000 and said, "From July on, the numbers really went through the roof so we're starting to see some good action down here at the transfer station - something we haven't seen for a long time."
He also reported that the amount of paper being recycled is sky rocketing.
"Just in January, Jefferson County did 250,000 pounds of paper. That used to be a good year - now it's a good month," he said. "We're definitely going in the right direction."
