|
Rehoboth Beach officials have taken out the trash for this summer: trash trucks that is.
Engineers for the Rehoboth Boardwalk Committee recommended that the Public Works Department’s medium-sized trash truck no longer be allowed on the Boardwalk, saying the truck is too heavy for the wood structure. The public works department will now be using a pick-up truck with a dumper insert to collect trash.
The medium-sized truck was more efficient and could hold trash from all the cans from the south end to the north end of the Boardwalk. While the pick-up truck can do the job, department employees will have to make more trips.
The Boardwalk committee was looking at the impact of trash trucks as part of the city’s proposed five-phase reconstruction of the Boardwalk. Commissioner Stan Mills, chairman of the committee, said the issue was whether to allow the medium-sized truck on the Boardwalk after reconstruction. Mills said the committee decided the answer was no.
The committee cited several reasons for its recommendation, including safety issues for pedestrians, aesthetic concerns and the smell.
Mayor Sam Cooper, also a member of the committee, said, “There are trucks on the Boardwalk that are too heavy for the existing structure, but what we design for in the future and what we allow on there is the bigger question.”
Commissioner Kathy McGuiness, a member of the committee and opponent of allowing the truck on the Boardwalk, said the committee would try to look at sturdier decking materials in the commercial areas that could handle the truck. Committee member Bill Bahan also said he opposed trucks on the Boardwalk.
The committee is conducting a cost analysis to determine what it would cost to reinforce the Boardwalk to handle large fire trucks.
At the meeting, Jack Dolan of Kercher Engineering presented three rough conceptual cost estimates for reinforcing the structure. For pedestrians only – $1.3 million, pedestrians and pick-up trucks – $1.5 million and pedestrians and larger trucks – $1.7 million.
Cooper said the fire company has requested that the Boardwalk be able to handle its 40,000-pound trucks.
“If the city is going to honor their request, which I think it should, that would drive the process. If we accommodate their truck, we should be able to accommodate anything else that can go on there,” Cooper said.
Mills said the committee would recommend the city purchase a second pick-up truck or a smaller-sized truck.
The committee’s next meeting is at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 3, in the city commissioners’ room.
|
