Palmyra to continue recyclables pickup

PALMYRA – The Palmyra selectmen opted Wednesday night to continue doing their own recycling for one more year. During that time, however, they will keep a close eye on program costs and the increasing maintenance fees on their aging recycling truck.

The truck was part of a municipal solid-waste grant in 1990 and, according to Administrative Assistant Diane Abbott Cookson, it is beginning to show its age. Although Cookson could not provide specific amounts for maintenance of the vehicle, she said the costs are increasing.

The truck was purchased in 1991 with $40,312 in state funding and $14,500 from Palmyra.

Currently the truck picks up recyclables for Palmyra residents twice a month and for Detroiters twice a month. At one time, it also was used to pick up a section of Pittsfield.

Cookson said the board had been considering retiring the truck and contracting out for pickup but opted to give it one more year.

All of the recyclables picked up by the service are brought to Pittsfield for processing and brokering. Palmyra pays $795 per quarter as a fee to the Pittsfield transfer station.

In other business, the selectmen discussed changing the existing industrial zone to mixed use after they received a complaint that a resident was unable to add a residential garage to a home because of the regulations.

Cookson said the industrial zone is located on Routes 2 and 152 in the El Hill section of town.

The selectmen agreed that a single resident could not prompt a zone change, but that they wanted to research whether the zone was even needed.

The board has also set 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, for the annual budget meeting at the town hall. All Palmyra residents are allowed to attend and participate.