SLT to join leaf composting plan

Tue, Sep 15, 2009    to del.icio.us

SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP — The Township Board voted 6-1 Monday night to join four other local municipalities in composting leaves at the VerPlank Trucking Co. dock in Ferrysburg.

The dock is located at 705 W. Second St., along the Grand River and just west of U.S. 31.

Joe Burns of VerPlank Trucking said his company needs leaves to mix with Grand River dredged material to form high-quality top soil. The purpose is two-fold: to allow for more channel dredging (past limitations have been where to put the dredged material), and to produce a marketable top soil using composted leaves and lawn debris.

The proposal will cost each municipality $2,200 a year, on a five-year contract.

"It's worth it to us for the harbor alone," said Spring Lake Township Clerk Carolyn Boersma.

The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power and several other businesses are also contributing to the $50,000 in machinery needed to mulch the leaves, twigs and grass clippings into suitable compost — according to Burns, who said his company has been working on the mixture for more than a decade.

"It's been an evolution," Burns told the Township Board on Monday. "We'll be responsible for all the maintenance and repairs of the machinery."

Township Supervisor John Nash and several board members suggested that Burns contact local waste haulers to see if they want in on the project. Board members suggested the nearby drop-off location could save hauling fuel.

"We're trying to do something that is beneficial for the entire region," said Burns, adding that the current 50,000-yard compost and dredge material storage area could almost double this fall. "The only way we're going to keep the harbor open is to have a place to put the dredged material and recycle it."

Nash said it would take some public education to let residents know how leaf, grass and twig disposal may change in the township. Currently, the township accepts bagged leaves during the fall season, which are picked up by Allied Waste Services.