Twenty-five years of talkin’ trash
By Suzanne Werre
Editor
When Turtle Lake’s city commissioners started talkin’ trash 25 years ago, they meant business.
It’s been 25 years since the city of Turtle Lake decided to get into the business of handling its own trash with its own garbage truck and handlers, and two trucks and thousands of miles and pounds of garbage later, the business venture continues to be a boon for the city and the city’s businesses.
When the commissioners began discussing the venture, noted city auditor Darwin Saari, it was kind of by necessity. The Environmental Protection Agency and North Dakota Department of Health were making it expensive to operate landfills, and forcing more to close.
Higher fees being charged by the landfills made it no longer economical to collect and dispose of lawn waste.
The commission did some careful study and consideration of the capital equipment and operational costs before diving into the proverbial dumpster, but eventually decided the city could operate its own garbage collection and avoid an increase in garbage rates.
One of the benefits the commissioners eyed before approving the proposal was the potential of supporting the local businesses with the purchase of fuel, oil, insurance and supplies, as well as offering employment.
