Bethel's landfill score drops to 69.6% on its state inspection, down from 90.9%

Bethel's landfill scored more than 20 points lower on its latest state inspection than on its previous one.

State inspectors were most concerned about vehicles sitting at the landfill waiting to be drained, and about having no one to check each load of trash as it comes in.

The score fell from 90.9% to 69.6%, Public Works Director Bill Arnold wrote in a monthly report to the city manager. "I am working on getting some estimates of cost to help alleviate these concerns for next year," he wrote.

The landfill was short on help for most of September. One temporary seasonal worker was out with an injury, and another missed most of the month for personal reasons. The landfill's only full-time technician quit, Arnold wrote, though one of the seasonal workers has applied for the job.

It was a busy month. Through Sept. 27, residents brought 258 loads of trash, the city trash truck brought 69 loads from dumpsters around town and other city vehicles brought 36. Commercial accounts added 2,429 cubic yards. The landfill also took in 13 vehicles to have their fluids and batteries removed and 16 refrigerators to be drained of Freon.

Arnold wrote that the state's inspection report is available to read at the landfill. His report is in the packet for the city's Public Safety and Transportation Commission meeting Nov. 4.