BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WARFIELD — A trash dumpster may be beyond what the City of Warfield can afford. City Clerk Rhonda Price provided quotes that she obtained on the cost of garbage service during a Commission meeting Thursday.

Price informed commissioners and Mayor Mike Hinkle that she had contacted Howell’s Recycling, which holds the exclusive commercial franchise with the Martin County Fiscal Court. A 6-yard garbage dumpster would cost the city $200 per month, while a small business pickup—allowing for collection of six bags—would cost $79 per month. Both options include weekly collection services.

“I would love to have the big container,” Commissioner John Sammons expressed. “But the $200 a month is something that we as a city cannot afford. When our monthly ending balance is $700, we can’t afford another $200.”

The Commission agreed to continue the discussion at their next meeting.

In the meantime, Price will get estimates for floor repairs in the space that Horizon Recovery rents inside the community center. According to Mayor Hinkle, the last contractor applied sealer to a “muddy” floor, and Horizon requested a redo.

Price updated the Commission on the annual Easter egg hunt in March.

“We received some last-minute donations that allowed me to purchase a lot of toys,” she said. “We didn’t have as big a turnout as usual, but everyone was happy.”

The clerk provided a list of businesses and individuals who donated to the Easter egg hunt, including R&J Hardware, Zip Zone, First State Bank, Mullins Family Funeral Home, IGA, Martin County Attorney Melissa Phelps, Ultimate Pawn, Crum Funeral Home, employees at Fast Change Lube & Oil, Kathleen Price and Warfield Missionary Baptist Church.

The Commission will meet again May 29 at 6 p.m.