By Kerri Rempp
The Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska is moving forward with its baler building project, with surveyors expected to finalize the exact footprint this month.
SWANN will issue bonds for up to $2.6 million to purchase a new baler and construct the building to house it and the administrative offices. The 1960s model baler was installed at SWANN in the 1970s.
Completion of the survey work will allow SWANN to provide the City of Chadron with the legal descriptions necessary to move forward, said Director Jake Stewart. There are no other buildings within 150 feet of the proposed construction, and the site will include a footprint larger than the building to accommodate the turning radius for truck traffic.
Stewart also asked the city council Monday to put up new “Transfer Station” signage on Main Street to replace the broken and missing signs. SWANN will purchase the materials, and the city agreed to install them.
The city will also look into options for slowing down traffic on East Niobrara Avenue as it approaches the SWANN facility.