Starting today there will be a fee to dump your trash at a convenient center in Gilmer County. Fetchyournews.com was on site as they opened at Tower Road this morning to see how it worked. Mr. Jim Sellers, overseer at the center, patiently explained the new pay per bag system to everyone. The first customer of the day couldn’t dump their trash because they didn’t have cash. They wanted to write a check but at the moment cash is the only method of payment accepted.

Employees explaining “cash only” to Customer with no Cash

The County has previously expressed it would investigate ways to accept credit/debit cards.

So the first paying customer was Mr. Rick Wagner who paid the fee and said “I handle the money and I handle the garbage,” as Jim showed him the money box recently installed.

Rick Wagner. First customer to pay for trash in Gilmer County Tower Rd. 04-04-11 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Also put in place was a receipt book with 3 tabs, one copy goes with the cash into the box, one copy goes to the customer, and the other copy stays in the book.

3 Part Receipt Book

Customer Waiting for Receipt

Mr. Davenport was 2nd to pay and Mr. Sellers explained to him the bag size and cost per bag. The next person turned and left because they didn’t realize there would be a charge.

Jim Sellers explaining to Daniel Davenport what size bag is a $1 04-04-11 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Citizen not aware of the charge leaves the center 04-04-11 from Fetch on Vimeo.

Fetchyournews.com observed a little confusion on the new system that could be easily clarified in time. A measuring device to determine bag charge will need to be installed and there was not proper signage explaining price and procedure. Those are small issues that could be quickly rectified. The money box is well constructed and concreted deep into the ground and there will not be a key for it on site. Mr. Sellers did not have the information on the times of the day the cash would be retrieved or the individual(s) responsible for removing the cash. As previously explained by the BOC, the cash will be removed daily. Mr. Sellers stressed to the customers to make sure they place one receipt copy with the cash before putting it into the box. This will assist with the accounting of the funds generated.

Mr. Sellers told us they had not expected the past week-end to be so busy. Usually they pull the compactor on Friday and it gets them through the week-end. This week-end people were bringing their trucks, some with trailers, dumping so much trash the center had to use the open top dumpsters to handle it all.

Sunday a line waiting stretched out the gate & down the hill

This open top dumpster had to be used to handle the overflow

Truck at Center on Sunday

Jim told us that in his opinion the recycling will grow now that there is a dumping fee in place. Currently the recycling bins are picked up twice a week in 3 locations and it does not appear that this will be sufficient. Should the recycling pick ups need to be increased there will be additional charges to the County and we do not know the increase amount at this time.

Recycle Bins

Mr. Sellers was very helpful to all and stated that Chairman Commissioner, JC Sanford had been working very hard making preparations for the new system. Jim felt it would take a little time for people to get used to things but once they did he believed it would work out very well. The recycling issue may not have an easy answer; however the BOC will need to address the recycling issue and find a solution for the County’s recycling needs. We will be following up to see what changes may be implemented on the recycling program. Fetchyournews.com wants to remind everyone to please be patient with all the hard working employees at the convenient centers while the new system is being implemented. Remember this is being done on a trial basis and is a change for all involved.