Wrenco site closure put on hold

SANDPOINT — The Wrenco solid waste collection site has been given a last-minute stay of execution.

The unattended waste collection site was slated to close on Wednesday, after Bonner County Commissioners voted on June 11 to close down the site due to abuse by the public.

Bob Howard, the county’s solid waste director, went before the board on Tuesday and requested that it hold off on the closure of the site for the time being.

“Solid Waste would like to ask the Bonner County commissioners to approve leaving the collection site open until a more suitable location can be found to relocate the site,” Howard said.

Commissioners approved the request.

Howard has said the Wrenco site suffered from the same type of abuse that has plagued other unattended waste collection sites — dumping of commercial waste, appliances and other inappropriate items. The site, located off Helen Thompson Road, only accepts household trash.

Cleanliness and maintenance of the site were cited as an issue of notable concern in the department’s 10-year capital improvements plan. The site sits on land owned by the Westside Fire District and the improvement plan said it is not an optimal location.

The pending closure drew push-back from residents who rely on the site and said they were blindsided by the county’s plan.

Howard said the county is looking to purchase property for a new site and has couple of irons in the fire.

“I have a couple of prospects,” said Howard.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.