Local News
Help on the way
Council begins discussing debris cleanup
On Friday, March 5, FEMA officially designated 28 counties, including Stephens County, a disaster area as related to the January 28 ice storm. This news came just in time for the Duncan City Council to begin preparations for cleanup efforts.
Duncan Fire Chief Larry Sullins said that the city continues to move forward in its efforts to clean up after the storm. There are four sites approved to take debris, however, Sullins said that it would be in the best interest of the city if residents let whoever is contracted to remove the debris do so.
Sullins said the process now is to figure out the process in which the debris will be removed, and how the city wants to be reimbursed by FEMA.
When it comes to the debris removal and disposal process, Sullins said they are simply waiting for bids from companies to remove all of the debris. Sullins also said there are three different options for the debris removal process that FEMA has given him. The city could enforce a forced account labor, where the city would do all of the cleanup work. There is also the temporary hire method, where the city could hire individuals for around $10-$12 per hour and rent equipment to remove the debris.
The third option is contracting the project through bidding, which is the direction the city is leaning. Through this process, the city could be reimbursed in a lump sum, through a tonnage or cubit yard with scales and monitors, or through removal and a contract for disposal through a sole source, which in this case would be Waste Connections. It was pointed out, however, if Waste Connections did take do this service, their trucks and employees would be running seven days a week, raising the likelihood workers could be injured or equipment could fail.
No matter the process, all debris will be taken to the Waste Connections transfer station where it will be weighed and transported to a landfill for disposal.
Vice-Mayor Ricky Mayes suggested a burn pit, much like Marlow, Lawton and Altus have done, but officials have said that residents are already complaining of the smoke and ash generated from these fires. Also, Sullins pointed out that even if they did burn the debris, they would still have to remove the ash, and there would have to be constant supervision of the burn site.
“Also, you’ll need a monitor there at all times because you never know what will show up in there if no one's watching it,” Sullins said.
Until official plans are made, Sullins said that residents can begin preparing for the cleanup.
“Homeowners need to take their debris to the curb to have it picked up,” Sullins said. “And no sofas or refrigerators, tree and shrub debris only.”
The council also held an executive session during the meeting with representatives of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) to discuss negotiations concerning the local 2929 fire department’s contract. The executive session lasted close to a half an hour before council members emerged and resumed the regular meeting. It was unanimously voted to go ahead with the proposed contract with the local IAFF 2929 fire department.
-Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 147 or by e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.
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