Newspapers / The Shore Line (Pine … / Feb. 1, 2022, edition 1 / Page 16
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Kramer’s Komer February really is a great month. Normally the crowds are small, the weather is cool, and, best of all, we get to see Duke beat UNC (some times twice). What could be better than that? Here are a few things happening at town hall. Situation with the brown paper yard waste bags. As of January 13, we are still prohibited from using these brown bags for yard waste. As a reminder: in October 2021, an NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) inspector visited the site we use in Morehead City to dispose of yard debris and directed that we stop using the bags as they are not permitted in these sites. We are going to challenge this. We contacted the NCDEQ and spoke to the head of solid waste manage ment for the department who is standing behind his inspector s finding last * October. In short, DEQ’s position is that these bags will not erode over time if they are not exposed to air or water. In addition, they are concerned about a fire hazard as well as odors. We spoke to a subject matter expert in this field, and he believes that the inspectors ruling is an interpretation and has no basis in cur rent state regulations. To challenge this we need to approach the Environmental Management Commission, which we hope to do later this spring. New trash/recycling contractor. As of this writing, we have seen two weeks of service from Waste Removal. Thank you to all who have shown patience with new drivers who are learning how to negotiate Pine Knoll Shores. The first week (pickup was January 3) was a bit rough, and service went into Tuesday. We were dealing with 40 mph winds that day, and the crews spent some time policing wind-blown debris. There were also some missed services, probably because of unfamiliarity. On the second week (January 10) they finished in one day. We told them that a Monday in July will not be quite the same, but still expect one-day service. We have been happy with their response to citizen issues during the transition and ask that everyone keep Waste Removal’s number on hand: 252- 499-9710. Please report any service issues to them directly. If you are on the town email list, I apologize for the blitz of recycling-related messages. With that said. I’ll repeat the most important message: Please do not put plastic bags of any type in recycling. This includes normal trash bags, sandwich/food storage bags, amazon packing bags, air-filled packaging plastic (the kind you pop), and essentially any type of plastic bags that would become entangled in conveyor belt machinery. We pay considerably less in fees to dispose of recycling compared to household trash, and these bags will cause entire loads at the recycling center in Jacksonville to be turned away. An additional issue with our recycling effort is the identification of recycling containers. If you have not done so, please come to town hall and get one of the stickers shown here and affix it to your recycling cart. Stickers are available at the front desk at town hall. Getting in the know regarding town priori ties in the coming year. One of the best ways to find out what the Board of Commissioners will photo by Bhon Kromor focus on in the upcoming year is to listen to the annual planning meeting they have each February. This year it will take place February 10-11 at town haU. Look for an email/Facebook post from Town Clerk Charlie Rocci that has the agenda. If there is a specific item that is of interest to you, you may listen in online. Pine Knoll Shores applying for another storm water grant. At the January 12 board meeting, the commissioners approved a request to apply for a grant from the North Carolina Land & Water Fund (formerly the NC Clean Water Trust Fund). We wish to extend the storm water line installed last year (currently running from Myrtle Court to Yaupon Road) to include Holly Road. We also will install a system to move water from Laurel and Myrtle courts to the existing vault at Myrtle Court. The North Carolina Coastal Federation is again providing assistance and expertise to the town. (Continued on page 27) Tacks in the Road (Continued from page 7) tent analogy. We can build this segment and gauge the public’s response to it before making any additional commitments. • Along the same lines, we need to be cognizant of the much higher costs that would be associated with breaking this segment into smaller pieces (three segments). These costs come in the form of higher transactions costs (staff time, contracting, etc.), higher engineering and materials costs, and the need for additional justifications for choosing a particular segment. . In our latest survey, the younger age groups are substantially in favor of tax-funded sidewalks, while the over 65 age group are marginally against it. The younger age groups are representative of the future of Pine Knoll Shores. . Sidewalks are a safe alternative to the use of an automobile, and they can provide relief from growing traffic congestion along Highway 58 (that will only get worse with 1-42). Sidewalks provide a venue for the pursuit of healthy outdoor activities. If we don’t build sidewalks, we will have more walkers, bicycles, children and strollers in our roadways—and more confrontations with motorists about who has the right of way. . The objections to sidewalks (e.g., removal of vegetation, increase in impervious surface area, privacy concerns) can be dealt with by other means. It makes no sense to continue to deny our citizens access to safe pedestrian pathways when we have other less-costly means at our disposal for preserving trees/vegetation (e.g., replanting vegetation lost during construction), limiting runoff (e.g., storm water controls, offsetting reductions in impervious surfaces, permeable materials), and protecting privacy (e.g., fences and buffers). . This last point is a “means and ends” issue (where does policy tend when ends are means and means are ends?). We want to protect vegetation and limit runoff (an “end”), but is denying pedestrians access to safe walkways the best way to do this (a “means”)? I think not. Pedestrian safety is a high priority “end” by itself. These are just a few of my thoughts on the subject. I hope we do the right thing. Thank you. I’m happy to discuss any of this. Please call or text 252-622- 2338, or email me at mayor@townofpks.com. 16 The Shoreline I February 2022
The Shore Line (Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.)
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Feb. 1, 2022, edition 1
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