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Cumberland board applauds improved service at Ann Street Landfill

Shorter wait times, new convenience center noted in director’s report

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Long wait times for disposing of bulk waste are in the past with the new Ann Street Reimagined project.

Cumberland County officials have sought to improve efficiency, sustainability and customer service at the landfill, according to Amanda Bader, the county’s solid waste director.

“We are looking to improve wait times. We will now have three scales instead of two, a dedicated flat-rate lane and scale attendant, and a new residential convenience center with bright signage and multiple travel lanes,” Bader told members of the county Board of Commissioners at a meeting Monday.

Employees of the Ann Street Landfill also have worked to improve the landscaping by planting a wildflower habitat. Street trees, educational signage and a large mural will be added to the aesthetic around a new scale house and site.

A ribbon-cutting will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 12, with light refreshments. The public is invited.

Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams thanked Bader and added that the process of getting through the landfill has greatly improved, noting that he personally visits the landfill weekly.

“You are making it as easy as possible for the citizens,” said Adams.

Commissioner Jimmy Keefe asked about the process for debris removal.

“We accept debris at the container site including pinecones, pine straw and clippings. Residents are allowed a pickup load of yard waste weekly,” said Bader.

Cumberland Clean, a countywide litter pickup, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. It will coincide with Fayetteville Beautiful and other area cleanups throughout the county.

More than 2,000 pounds of litter has been collected at each of three previous cleanups in the past two years with an average of 70 volunteers participating. To volunteer for Saturday’s cleanup, register at cumberlandcountync.gov by following the link on the Cumberland Clean banner or just show up at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the Cumberland County Courthouse.

The board also unanimously approved extending a contract with a disaster debris collection service to remove downed trees.

A contract with Tetra Tech Inc., a Pasadena, California, engineering and consulting firm, was first approved in 2020. The county manager’s staff asked the commissioners to approve extending the contract through Oct. 30, 2023, with a 9.2% increase in payments.

The staff also recommended that the board award primary and secondary standby contracts for debris removal, which would facilitate a faster response when needed. The primary contract was awarded to Texas firm DRC Emergency Services, and a secondary contract to AsbBrit Inc. or Florida.

In other news, Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon introduced Heather Skeens, the new assistant county manager for community support. Skeens had been director of social services for the county and began her new job Monday. She has more than 30 years of experience in human services administration in Onslow, Guilford and Cumberland counties.

A moment of silence was observed for former PWC Chairman Wilson Lacy, who died Thursday.

The board went into closed session for about 30 minutes to discuss property acquisition and matters of attorney-client privilege. No action was taken after the closed session.

Cumberland County, landfill, garbage

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