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Posted on Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.

Single-stream recycling on its way to western Washtenaw County

By Ryan J. Stanton

Washtenaw County has agreed to back $2.7 million in bonds to help expand the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority as it makes the switch to single-stream recycling.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners gave final approval Wednesday night to authorize the county’s full faith and credit to help pay for a new facility.

The switch to single stream is expected to cost $3.2 million, which includes a new building and $1.7 million in equipment. The authority has about $500,000 in cash it plans to use.

Rob_Turner_headshot.jpg

Rob Turner

The debt service on the bonds is expected to be paid over 15 years through special assessments levied on more than 8,100 developed parcels in five municipalities: the city of Chelsea, Dexter Township, Lima Township, Lyndon Township and Manchester Township.

The authority has approved having County Commissioner Rob Turner, R-Chelsea, as a representative from the county to the WWRA Board.

WWRA was established in 1991 as a partnership between eight communities — only five of which have determined they would like to help pay for the improvements to provide single-stream recycling to their residents. Bridgewater Township has indicated it would like to continue with WWRA but did not want to participate in the funding for the new facility, while the Village of Manchester and Sylvan Township opted to withdraw from WWRA altogether.

The debt assessments in the townships, where there will be drop-off bins for recycling, will be $24 per household per year. The assessments will be $56 per household per year in the city Chelsea, which will receive increased benefits through curbside recycling.

In addition, there will be ongoing operating and maintenance assessments. The operating assessment for investing members initially will be set at $26 per household per year for the townships and $44 for the city of Chelsea, but it's expected that could drop to $7 in 2013.

The assessment for Bridgewater Township, as an associate member, will be $26 per household per year and will not be reduced.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.

Comments

Susan

Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.

Too bad Sylvan didn't participate.

Bob Martel

Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.

So, does this mean one bin @ the drop off instead of the numerous "little holes" in the green containers that we now drop our recyclables into?

treetowncartel

Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.

Single stream is great, especially in the colder months.