Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
A new recycling program has been in the talks for the Cities of
Houghton and Hancock.
After realizing that both cities’ waste contracts expire this year, the city governments decided to request proposals on new waste and recycling programs.
Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson says the hope is to have a reduced curb-side pick up rate if both cities sign with the same vendor.
Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson said, “We intentionally bid at the same time and our bids were due at the same time, but clearly both cities would enter their own contracts. But all the vendors who have responded to the [request for proposals] have said that they would, obviously, and their rates would be cheaper if both cities went with the same vendor.”
Hancock currently provides curbside pick-up once a month, while the City of Houghton requires residents to drop off their recycling at the Waste Management center.
Public comments on the current systems were critical with many residents wanting to see improved curbside pick-up in both cities.
Houghton City Manager Eric Waara says that’s exactly what the new proposals are for.
Houghton City Manager Eric Waara said, “Well certainly I don’t think anybody can argue that recycling is not a good thing to do. I mean it’s just a smart thing to do. When we put together the request for proposals, what we were requesting was single-stream curbside recycling for residents of the City of Houghton. So we need to review those proposals right now and determine which is going to be affordable and sustainable for the city.”
At the recent meeting, community members representing both cities, the nearby colleges and even high school students showed up to comment on the need for improved recycling efforts.
Both city managers say that they will be reviewing proposals in the coming weeks and hope to have a new program running by the end of Summer.
In other business, Glenn Anderson also gave an update on the upcoming construction in Downtown Hancock.
The work will be done in 4 segments, the first one to begin construction on May 2nd.
The work on downtown is estimated to be completed by October 27th of this year and the Front Street project will take place next year.
The construction this summer is projected to have minimal impact on the Canal Run and the Parade of Nations.
Both city managers showed their support of the Houghton Skatepark, which is in its early funding phase.
Eric Waara says the recent skateboard auction fundraiser raised nearly $10,000 toward the park.
Glenn Anderson even shared his support as the skatepark has been a community request from both cities and will benefit residents on either side of the bridge.
