Changes coming for Fairfield yard waste

FAIRFIELD – Changes are in store for how Fairfield residents dispose of their yard waste.

The issue has been in a state of flux ever since the city closed its compost site on South 20th Street last August because it was being abused. The Fairfield City Council is close to finalizing a plan to have a private entity run the compost site, though the details of the contract are still being worked out by attorneys.

Austin Wilkinson, owner of Scar Grinding LLC, pitched the idea of taking over the compost site to the Fairfield City Council in December. At the time, Wilkinson said that, if the city would allow him to take on the compost site, he would like $34,200 per year from the city, which he said translates to $0.60 per month on a resident’s water bill.

Fairfield City Administrator Doug Reinert said the city hopes to begin this agreement with Scar Grinding on July 1, at which time Fairfield residents can once again begin using the compost site. However, unlike before, the site will be manned and open certain hours.

Between now and July 1, residents have other opportunities to get rid of brush. Residential brush pickup begins April 7, and that’s free. There will also be a couple of opportunities for residents to drop off brush at the city’s maintenance garage (1002 W. Jefferson Ave.) from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, March 21 and 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22.

Dropping off loads of brush at the maintenance garage requires a ticket, which can be purchased at city hall.

Residents who are looking for free mulch should know there is currently a mulch pile south of Hy-Vee. Reinert wants residents to know this is not a brush drop-off location, and is only for picking up the free mulch.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com