Recycling returns to Ogden

Recycling is coming back to Ogden.

At the July 11 meeting, the village board voted to return the recycling Dumpster and increase pick-ups.

In June the Dumpster had been removed after Mayor Gabe Clements found broken glass around the Dumpster, which was previously housed at the village park.

At a June 11 buildings and grounds committee meeting, the board discussed liability issues with the Dumpster and if security cameras should be placed on the Dumpster.

They also discussed where the Dumpster could be located within the village to best serve residents.

During the July 11 meeting, Clements told the 20 residents in attendance that he did not want residents to think the board was anti-recycling or hated the recycling Dumpster.

“We are just trying to find a better way of doing it so garbage isn’t always on the ground,” he said.

The board had been discussing the Dumpster since May and the trash that is often left around the area when the Dumpster becomes full between pick-ups.

Trustee Sonja Vickers had 151 residents sign a petition stating their support of the recycling dumpster.

Vickers said the recycling Dumpster has been in Ogden since 1988 and it was originally paid for by Champaign County, then Ogden township and the village split the cost with the township paying for the Dumpster in recent years.

Vickers said it was an important service to offer and the issues with the Dumpster could be remedied if the village followed through on their plans to monitor the Dumpster.

“We just have to do a better job of monitoring it,” she said.

Vickers said residents had also volunteered to monitor the Dumpster.

Clements said he was in support of the Dumpster being placed outside of village hall with a security camera placed on it.

Prairieview-Ogden South teacher Lori Montgomery spoke to the board and said that the students at PVO are taught to recycle and routinely place items in the Dumpster.

“It is an important part of our school,” she said. “All of our students automatically recycle.”

Mike Murphy, who has lived in Ogden for nine years, told the board he routinely tells friends about the village’s accessible recycling.

“This has always been a rather forward-looking community for a town of our size,” he said.

Ogden Township paid $450 a month for six pick-ups.

The township suggested the village pay $450 a month for six additional pickups.

Trustee Jim Haan said he thought the village should start with two additional pick-ups because more could always be added if needed.

The village board opted to place the Dumpster by village hall and pay $150 a month for two additional pick-ups. They will also remind residents via their water bills to only place recyclable materials in the Dumpster and not to place items on the outside of the Dumpster if it is full.