By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

A single security camera will be installed at the Jones Creek Refuse and Recycling Center to test a program for installing them at all of Isle of Wight County’s facilities. Isle of Wight Solid Waste Manager Michael Etheridge explained the proposal recently at a Board of Supervisors’ work session. 

The cost for the 4.0 megapixel 4 camera 4 channel plug and play IP security camera system to be mounted on a pole is about $1,850, said Etheridge.

The camera will be used to provide added security and better customer service, as well as record accidents, incidents, illegal dumping and as a training tool for employees as it will pick up work habits, said Etheridge. 

A sign will be posted alerting residents that the camera is present at the facility, he said. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

Etheridge told of how cameras used at refuse and recycling centers in Pasquotank County provided information on actual accidents, property damage, a contractor intentionally creating violations and an employee who hit a resident with a shovel. 

The proposal was less expensive than another earlier this year, which called for more elaborate cameras that could read license plates, at $9,500 each. 

Newport District Supervisor William McCarty wanted to know if 4.0 megapixels was enough to provide facial recognition.

Etheridge said the test site would see if 4.0 works, but if not, can upgrade the system. 

Windsor District Supervisor Joel Acree wanted to know what the policy would be on storing the videos. 

Etheridge said the videos can be stored on a thumb drive and the system auto-deletes older videos.

Isle of Wight County Administrator Randy Keaton said that if there is an incident, the county will likely hear about it within 30 days. 

Construction debris

The county is also exploring ways to allow residents to dispose of construction debris that may accumulate after personal repairs or renovations — and the limits on quantity. 

The county currently does not accept construction debris, but occasionally receives it, said Etheridge.

One quantity discussed was one pick-up load a day per person. 

Recently, Bay Disposal has expanded the type of material accepted at its Smithfield facility, to include construction debris, said Etheridge.

Bay Disposal charges $37 a ton for yard debris as well as construction debris and it can be mixed, said Etheridge. 

If Isle of Wight uses Bay Disposal for this material, it can reduce the amount of miles the county travels each year by 5,096 miles and save $3,121 a year, said Etheridge.

On the other hand, there are professional contractors who are also county residents and can take advantage of this new offering, said Smithfield District Supervisor Dick Grice. 

The security cameras can help with this, but if someone wants to cheat the system, they will find a way, said Etheridge.

Carrsville District Supervisor Don Rosie said this is a way to help residents and improve customer service.

Currently, Isle of Wight residents can bring construction debris to the SPSA transfer station on Four Square Road, but it must be in a personal vehicle and not on a trailer more than 12 feet long. There is no charge, according to SPSA. 

Contractors can bring construction waste to the transfer station but are charged $72.28 per ton, according to SPSA.

Etheridge said his staff will return to the Board with provisions to put in the county’s ordinance to deal with the different situations.  {/mprestriction}