City employee stuck by needle during trash pickup

The City of Linton’s Operations Manager, Brent Murray, went before the council Tuesday evening to ask for help to protect members of the sanitation department.

Murray told the council that a member of the sanitation department was recently stuck by a needle after a bag fell from a trash can during pick up. The employee picked the bag up and was stuck.

“When we went back to the residence to see if maybe the resident had diabetes or something, he informed us that wasn’t even his bag of trash,” Murray said. “He had gloves on, but no protective gear will protect them from getting stuck by a needle.”

Due to the unknown, the employee will now have to take preventative medication because they don’t know where the needle came from. Murray said with the current drug epidemic in the area, the city needs to figure out how to ensure the safety of its employees.

Clerk-treasurer Jathan Wright noted the city may receive input from the insurance company about how to prevent such an incident in the future.

City Council member Linda Bedwell also brought up issues of people leaving trash on empty lots where the trash is picked up by the city.

“That’s a battle we are still trying to fight,” Murray said.

Currently, the sanitation statute focusing on garbage states, in part, approved trash for pickup and non-approved trash for pickup includes:

• Container must be weatherproof;

• Containers must have lids and handles;

• Four 33 gallon bag limit;

• Max weight 50 pounds per can, 15 pounds per bag;

• No loose trash, must be in approved container or bagged;

• Household trash only;

• Trash needs to be set curbside by 5 a.m. the morning of pickup.

Non approved trash for pickup:

• Construction material including but not limited to: roofing, flooring, drywall, wood, concrete, windows, appliances, bedding.

• Hazardous waste including but not limited to: paint, oils, batteries, TVs, computers, tires.

• Dirt, sand, rock, yard waste, grass clippings, limbs and leaves.

• Animal waste, kitty litter unless bagged and under 10#.

• No loose trash or trash in cardboard boxes.

• Grass, yard debris and construction waste will not be collected. However, the Sanitation Department may be able to assist with disposal of this type of debris at an additional charge.

One of the best ways to protect the employees is with the use of durable trash cans sold through the city, which latches directly onto the tipper of the trash truck. Murray explained this eliminates the problem of touching trash bags, as well as helps eliminate injuries from heavy lifting.

It was also suggested that individuals who must use, and dispose of, needles place them in a plastic container like a milk jug to ensure they don’t penetrate their trash bag.

Utilities Superintendent Brent Slover noted some residents have purchased cheaper versions of the trash can, but they do not hold up as well as the ones purchased through the city. Between the garbage truck and weather conditions, it can cause the cheaper versions to break quicker.

The heavy-duty trash cans through the city can be purchased by calling the utility department. The cost is approximately $75, which can be split into two payments on the utility bill. Murray noted the resident can pick them up at the city barn or sometimes they can make plans to deliver to the residence.

Councilwoman Bedwell asked Murray, considering the ongoing opioid epidemic if there are any sanitation-related grants available. Murray said he would look into this as well.

Mayor John Wilkes and the council agreed something needed to be done and they would work with the sanitation department to figure out how to protect their employees.

The council voted to allow the mayor, clerk-treasurer and fire chief work toward leasing a new fire truck to replace the current 1991 engine 1 pumper.

Sparks said this truck is almost identical, but a new version.

Wright noted the city is working with Pierce Manufacturing to negotiate a seven-year lease, which would be paid out of Public Safety Tax funds.

Sparks added while they would not be able to trade the old truck in, he believes they can bid it out for sale and replenish a portion of the Public Safety Tax money used.

“I have three or four departments interested,” Sparks said.

The council approved the 2020 salary ordinance, which included a 3 percent raise for non-union employees that work for the city, which includes 10 people.

“That’s about what the union employees have been getting,” Mayor Wilkes noted.

Councilwoman Bedwell voted against the ordinance, noting next time she would suggest not including elected officials in the raise. She said the elected officials knew what they were getting into when they ran for the position.

Councilman Tony Richards said next year he would like to consider looking at the employees individually before approving a raise, rather than approving an across-the-board raise.

Wilkes noted with union employees, including police, fire and IBEW, they receive the negotiated raises and are not subject to “picking and choosing.”

In other business:

• The council approved the 2020 budget resolution.

• The council approved a change order for the stormwater project totaling $14,000. Mayor Wilkes noted there was plenty of money left in the fund to cover the issue.

• The council approved a banking resolution, which added a separate bank account for meter deposits of new customers. Wright said this was suggested by the State Board of Accounts as a direct result of their audit.

• Wilkes thanked Silver Freeman for donated his time and services to remove 18 stumps at the park.