COMMUNITY MEETING ON SECURITY

Thursday, April 11, 2019    6:00 PM
Walter Esch Hall, 199 Barton Shore Drive

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department officers familiar with our community will be presenting information on a number of security issues, as well as answering questions from the audience.  Topics will include recent security incidents, cameras/technology, safety strategies for homeowners, and Neighborhood Watch information.

 

RECYCLING PROGRAM CHANGE

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) are items such as fertilizer, paint, cleaning products, etc. that should not go to the landfill but need to be disposed of properly.  The BHV maintenance staff has been picking up HHW items that residents put out with their trash for collection on regular trash days (many residents have BHV-provided HHW blue bins).  These items have to be kept in containment units in the maintenance building until enough are collected to warrant a trip to the Washtenaw County Home Toxins Collection Center (WCCenter) for final disposal.

However, with the growing concern for more protection of land and waterways, BHV now would need to significantly update storage facilities for HHW.  This would involve a separate, dedicated building with stronger containment measures and a certified employee to provide adequate protection until the HHW items could be transported to the County.  Since this would be a considerable expense, the BHV program is being modified to eliminate storage of HHW in favor of immediate transport to the WCCenter.

How the new BHV program will work:
–The BHV staff will pick up HHW items from residents only on the first Monday of the month regular trash day.  These items will be taken directly to the WCCenter the same day.  The WCCenter is available for this arrangement from April 1 through November 30.

–While the BHV drop off time is limited due to staffing at the WCCenter, residents have more options.  They can take their HHW to the WCCenter, located at 705 N. Zeeb Road (just north of the I-94 Zeeb Road exit), Ann Arbor 48103 on:
–Saturday drop off held the first three Saturdays of each month, April through November, from 9 AM to noon, except holidays. No appointment is needed.

–Week day drop off by appointment by calling the WCCenter at 734-222-3950.  Available year round, including December-March when BHV will not be doing HHW collection.

There is a list of acceptable/unacceptable items on the Washtenaw County website at ewashtenaw.org (How Do I? >> Dispose >>Home Toxics).  The County also sponsors Clean Up Days in the spring and fall.  The next Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday May 18, 2019 from 9AM – 1 PM at Chelsea High School, 740 Freer Road, Chelsea 48118

Thank you for continuing to dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in a safe and environmentally responsible way.  If you have questions please contact Superintendent Hnatow
(734-368-7896) or the BHV Clerk’s office (bhvclerk@bartonhillsvillage.org;  734-222-5209).

 

GARLIC MUSTARD     Garlic mustard is an aggressive invasive herb that crowds out native plant species in and near forested areas.  Early spring is the ideal time to look for and pull out garlic mustard before it goes to seed.

Pulling by hand is the simplest and most effective approach to small or isolated infestations of garlic mustard.  Be sure to remove the upper portion of the root as well as the stem, since buds on the roots can produce additional stems.  Look for the first year rosettes, especially small clusters that can be eradicated.  Put the plants on the pavement where they will dry out and the BHV staff can see them/pick them up.  Don’t compost or dump—the plants are tough to kill and seeds will survive up to five years.

For a very informative video featuring local experts and former BHV resident Fred Clark (author of the BHV Forestry Study) visit https://vimeo.com/2855779.   There are also a number of websites with more information.

Garlic mustard control is painstaking and unending, but definitely worth the effort.  Thank you for helping to control this very aggressive/resistant invasive species, so native wildflowers and trees can flourish.