By Ryan Heaton
Craig Connover of the Springville City Council knows what it''s like to find a place to dump heavy construction refuse in Springville.
He had the experience when he wanted to dispose of his waste after doing some remodeling on his home. The nearest place that would accept the garbage was a landfill in Payson, Utah County, but Connover said it''s difficult for residents to get permission to use it.
'We got lucky,' Connover said.
That''s why Connover said he would like to see the waste transfer station located at 2450 W. and 400 S. in Springville expanded to give residents a place to dump their heavy waste.
Mike Dunn of C&D Landfill in Cedar Valley, Utah County, brought the proposal before the Springville City Council during the last council meeting.
According to Dunn''s proposal, the waste transfer station would be expanded to allow dumping of the heavy refuse, and the waste would be hauled daily to the C&D Landfill. The plan would allow Springville residents to dump concrete, heavy metals and other construction materials at the transfer station for pickup.
The proposal will need to be approved by the Springville planning commission, who can give permission to the solid waste district to expand the facilities.
The City Council seemed open to the proposal, but some council members were worried about the effect the expansion would have on the surrounding area.
Councilwoman Dianne Carr noted that the current transfer station was surrounded by land that is zoned for future commercial ventures and expanding the station could interfere.
Carr also thought that the increase in waste trucks could contribute to traffic problems of the area.
Even though the Payson landfill limits who can drop waste in the landfill, there seems to be plenty of room to use. Dave Roper, attendant of the Payson landfill, said they''ve only used one-third of the 90 acres available.
But despite the problems it could create, Craig Connover thinks expanding the transfer station in Springville would be a good idea in order to keep residents from dumping illegally.
According to Connover, if residents find it too difficult to find a spot to dump their garbage, they may be tempted to find an area where dumping is illegal.
'Their first option is to drive down some country road and dump,' Connover said.