Brunswick looking to be removed from county's flow control mechanism for city's trash

BRUNSWICK — The city is working toward not being part of the flow control mechanism that is listed in Medina County's solid waste management district plan anymore. Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said every county is required to have a solid waste plan. Flow control exists within Medina County's plan, which requires trash from the county to go to the waste processing facility in Seville. "Brunswick does not have an in-house sanitation department, and we have contractors," he said. "What happens is our contractors are coming out of the county and are artificially forced to go down to Seville and then go back, which tacks on additional costs." Hanek said he believes flow control costs Brunswick residents too much money, and it is not practical for the city. "If they didn't have to take the garbage down to Seville, they could go somewhere closer and somewhere most cost-effective," he said. "What it would mean is, (the contractors) told us that they'll be able to lower the cost to the residents by essentially $3 a month." Brunswick City Council passed a motion that authorizes the city to file a waiver form with the commissioners to remove Brunswick from the flow control mechanism within the solid waste management district plan during its meeting on July 14. "We'd be part of the (solid waste management district) plan, and we would approve such a plan if we're not in flow control," Hanek said. "If we're included in flow control going forward, we will veto the plan. As the largest city, we have the ability to veto the plan in its entirety." During Tuesday's commissioner's meeting, Medina County commissioner Steve Hambley said the Medina County Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee met last week and reviewed the plan. Various scenarios were looked at for flow control, which included pros and cons for each option, he said. The solid waste management district plan will be revisited at a policy committee meeting at a later date. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.