By Kerri Rempp
The City of Chadron approved an amendment to its service agreement with the Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska, following Harrison, Crawford, Dawes County and Sioux County in allowing the agency to issue bonds for up to $2.6 million. Jake Stewart, director of SWANN, said the agency’s baler suffered major breakdowns in late 2023 and continues to have issues monthly. The 1960s model baler was installed at SWANN in the 1970s. The bonds will allow for the purchase of a new baler and the construction of a new building to house it and the administrative offices. The current administration building will be repurposed for alternative uses by the agency, Stewart said.
SWANN will begin boring holes soon for the new building, which will be located straight north of the existing plant. The projected completion date for the project is the end of November. The City of Hemingford will consider the service agreement this evening.
Councilman Miles Bannan noted that SWANN is a great example of communities working together to provide excellent services at a lower cost than other alternatives.
In other business Monday, the council:
- Ended the police department’s officer reserve program due to changes in the law governing the program and removed Mark Hunt as a reserve officer.
- Extended an option to purchase real estate from Julie Snyder from Jan. 31, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026, for the possible installation of a community solar farm.
- Received a swimming pool update that there were 87 participants at the free swim day in June and 137 passes sold to date this fiscal year.
- Thanked the organizers and attendees at Fur Trade Days.