Central Lake adopts new logo, postpones decision on waste clean ups

CENTRAL LAKE – During a busy monthly business meeting last week, the Central Lake Village Council agreed to purchase a new DPW pickup truck, heard reports from both its new campground host and common areas caretaker, adopted a new logo, and once again tabled decisions on future junk and yard waste clean ups.

As he did last month, Village council president Larry Eckhardt brought up the issue of waste clean-up events during the June 12 meeting.

"We haven't had one in at least four years," said Eckhardt of a possible heavy trash and junk clean up. "I got prices of $55 a yard if we did a clean up this fall, which I think would mean a potential bill of $13,000 to $14,000.

"We'd have people haul their junk to a specified site, as we did before," he continued. "The objective here is to help the people get rid of some of the junk we're seeing in yards around town."

Trustee Rob Tyler was not convinced, however.

"A lot of things people would be throwing out can be taken to the township's waste receiving station," Tyler said. "And as far as expected village expenditures this year, we're already at $385,000 or so, which means we're right there, financially. Add in the potential for cost overruns with the pavilion project we're starting, and we could be in trouble."

Tyler pressed to postpone the subject until next year.

"If we hold off for this year, we could budget a cleanup for next year, and maybe do something in conjunction with the township, like a voucher system or something."

Despite hesitation, Eckhardt agreed to Tyler's proposal.

"I don't want to wait another year, but maybe we could go with a spring clean up, rather than fall," he said.

After Police Chief Scott Barrett, who also enforces the village's blight ordinance, said that he would be in favor of a voucher system, Eckhardt said, "OK, we'll shoot for next year's budget."

Tyler once again brought up the fact that village residents can avail themselves of the township's waste receiving station when it comes to getting rid of yard debris and waste.

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