Town gets serious about problems at drop-off site

The Port Washington Town Board on Monday decided to take steps to ward off the scofflaws that have been leaving trash at the drop-off site.

The board agreed to install chains or cones to stop traffic from heading through the site when it isn’t open, add signs and purchase a security camera system to keep tabs on the site during off-hours.

The board capped the cost of the camera system at $2,000.

Last month, Town Clerk Heather Krueger said garbage attendant Jim Van Hoogen often finds people are dropping their garbage outside the drop-off site during hours when the facility is closed.

Van Hoogen told her that people sometimes drive up to the center before it opens and by the time he opens the doors they’ve deposited their trash and departed, Krueger added.

“He comes in during the week and there’s stuff left there,” Krueger said. “I see people stopping here when we’re not open.”

A recent Ozaukee Press story about the issue has helped reduce the problem, she said, but Van Hoogen is still concerned.

On Monday, Krueger noted that Van Hoogen is also concerned about people driving through the property without regard to others’ safety.

“He’s worried someone’s going to get hurt,” she said.

Supr. Greg Welton suggested installing chains on either side of the drop-off center, saying it will block people from driving through the property when they shouldn’t.

Until they get the chains, he said, the town should consider using barrel cones to block the way.

Welton said this would prevent people from accessing the site when it isn’t open. Then, he said, people who want to illegally drop off garbage would have to park on the road and carry it up to the building.

“No one’s going to carry it in from the road,” Welton said last month.

Welton also suggested the town install signs warning users about the rules regulating the site.

“The more daunting it sounds, the better,” he said.

The drop off center at 3715 Highland Dr., next to Town Hall, is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.