City, county take steps to clean up storm debris|[9/13/05]

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Some evacuees may be hired locally to clear Vicksburg’s streets and rights-of-way of storm debris following a vote of the Mayor and Aldermen Monday.

Separately, the Warren County Board of Supervisors identified a location for county residents to haul and unload limbs, leaves and other storm waste.

Maynord Landscaping, a Vicksburg company, was hired to pick up debris for $33.90 per ton after city officials opened sealed proposals.

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Residents outside the city may take their debris to a lot near the Warren County Highway Department, 200 County Lane, off U.S. 61 North. It will be open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. through this month.

Vicksburg has a contract with Waste Management Inc. for residential trash and garbage pickup, but the contract contains a clause exempting the company in the event of a major storm such as Hurricane Katrina, which hit Aug. 29.

Municipal crews have been seen picking up some debris, but officials said a larger-scale effort is needed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pledged to reimburse city and county governments for their added storm-related expenses during the recovery. Maynord’s proposal says the company will attempt to hire people jobless or displaced due to the storm.

Supervisors also voted Monday to continue their disaster declaration for at least another week, a move recommended by L.W. Callaway III, director of the Warren County Emergency Managment Office.

“We are still too close to the event,” he said. “The road department, the emergency management office and the sheriff’s department are still expending funds.”

The continuing declaration allows the county to seek reimbursement for emergency road or building repairs and overtime for employees, laborers and law enforcement officers.

The declaration also allows an Indiana National Guard medical unit and infantry unit to remain in Warren County.