The Rowlesburg, W.Va., Town Council has begun to explore the possibility of collecting its own trash. The town is currently under contract with Preston Sanitation, but as of March 1, collection has been conducted by Sunrise Sanitation of Thomas, which took over emergency interim operations from Preston.

Rowlesburg Mayor Barbara Banister shared concerns with the council at a meeting on March 26 about the costs associated with taking charge of trash collection. Stuart Thayer, founder of Sunrise Sanitation, also told the council at the meeting that he hopes to receive final approval for the purchase of Preston Sanitation by the end of the summer.

The Preston County News & Journal has more information:

Mayor Barbara Banister told council members at the March 26 meeting she had been in contact with the transfer station to determine the cost for hauling.

“It would be about three or four loads from one side of town, and then another two loads from Manheim,” Banister said. “Each truck load, we take will cost approximately $869, and we would have to take six loads weekly.

“That does not include manpower, gas, insurance, etc.,” Banister continued. “I think that is a little much. Right now, we have the sanitation people come in and do it.”

Read the full story here.