Wadena County Commissioners: Transfer Station to reopen, business assistance program approved
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on August 3.
Transfer Station to Reopen
The transfer station was closed on July 27 due to a staffing shortage. Ryan Odden, county engineer/coordinator, explained the shortage and closure were not pandemic related. An employee walked off the job and did not notify the county of their resignation.
Otter Tail County has been taking the customers and is not charging extra due to the situation. They are also helping to staff Wadena’s transfer station. Wadena County is in the process of hiring.
Chris McConn, solid waste director, said they will open back up on August 10. McConn explained they would have broken a state law if they ran the transfer station without a certified operator.
Commissioner Jon Kangas shared his concern as the committee wasn’t notified of the closure. He added it was a tremendous expense to commercial haulers having to travel to Henning and he was told some loads were turned away as they operate differently than Wadena. How will they make it up to commercial haulers?
McConn added he felt for the haulers and tried to avoid it as best as they could. He doesn’t see it as a tremendous loss and has contacted the haulers.
McConn said they are working on the schedule to reopen.
CARES Act Funding
Heather Olson, auditor/treasurer, reviewed the plan to use the $1.69 million received in CARES Act funding, with $500,000 in funds allocated to small business relief. . . .