SALEMBURG— Town board members have elected to increase residential trash rates from $10 to $13 a month due to a growing problem with recycling, and a state law making it mandatory.

The problem was brought to the attention of the board by mayor Bobby Strickland who stressed that the town’s current recycling dropoff spot is overflowing with garbage.

“People are bringing their trash and putting it in the recycling container,” said Strickland of the large container. And after further examination of the trash in the recycling bin, he also recognized that people from outside of the small Sampson municipality are adding their stuff to it.

Strickland then asked town clerk Juanita Faircloth to further explain the problem and her proposed course of action.

Faircloth established that while the town had a recycling container, it was not enough, since the state law requires that all plastics now be recycled.

“We can get penalized for having trash in our recycling bin” said the town clerk.

She suggested the town return to the recycling carts once used, those that can be put at a the curb along with the trash can. She also noted that residents have tried using the town’s recycling container but it has been overflowing with trash.

In proving how vital it is to change recycling policies, Faircloth also established that with a significant amount of residential garbage being glass, newspapers, aluminum cans, and other items that can be regenerated, it would be preferable that the recycling bin be as large as the trash carts used by town.

She suggested that a garbage rate be included to pay for the new service.

Commissioner Joe Warren commented, “I don’t think that we have a choice but to increase trash rates.”

Commissioner Shirley Cooper shook her head in agreement, saying, “I feel that since it is state law, more people will be recycling.”

With this, the mayor noted the severity of the current problem, saying that, in addition to the current recycling bin being filled to the brim with unseperated trash, people have also left six bags of trash in front of it.

Commissioner Arnold Page commented, “I think the citizens will want the containers, since trash will not get policed.”

Warren then motioned for the board to increase the trash rate from $10 to $13 for residents and $15 to $19 for businesses.

Commissioner George Lockamy provided the second, and it was approved unanimously.

As soon as the vote was complete, Strickland then asked when would be the best time to start the change.

“I think we should start in December,” the mayor suggested.

As he was leaving, commissioner Arnold Page said under his breath, “What a great Christmas present.”

Faircloth said the containers could be purchased this month and could be delivered by early November, which would mean the change would be in place for the November billing.

In an interview Friday, Faircloth noted that she will be sending out letters this month and setting the rate change for November.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.