Hennessey’s “Citizen Collection Station is designed for residential solid waste only.”

That site is there to offer “residents a location to bring occasional excess household waste that does not fit in curbside containers.”

That’s according to the state Department of Environmental Quality after its recent waste station inspection, said Town Administrator Tiffany Tillman at the town board’s Thursday, April 14, meeting.

She also said it cost $285 for five waste containers and collections totaled $270.

In previous meetings, Tillman said contractors from Enid and Okarche used the Hennessey site because it was cheaper than others.

“So it appears we have no choice, or the DEQ will shut us down,” said Vice Mayor Clif Vogt.

Other trustees at the meeting were Richard Simunek, Harold Shaw and David Jones. Absent was Mayor Bert Gritz.

Copies of the new rates and policies that take effect May 1 are available at Town Hall and will be posted on the town’s website, said Tillman.

No oversized loads

Oversized loads that will fill the containers and make them inaccessible to other residents will be denied at the site (224 N. Cemetery Road), the policy states.

“As long as appliances and furniture come out of residential homes and are taken to the waste station, we are fine,” said Tillman after the meeting.

Other new dump rules

• Effective June 1, the only method of payment accepted will be credit card, debit card or check.

• All customers must show a driver’s license or ID. That is to show if they live in or out of the county, because rates double for those who live outside the county.

• The town reserves the right to refuse access to non-customers, oversized loads or unauthorized debris. The attendant on duty has the right to refuse service.

• Commercial customers, including rental property owners and construction contractors, may contact Town Hall (405-853-2416) for a list of disposal service providers for on-site containers.

Hours also effective May 1

That station will be open May 1-Sept. 30 three days a week (Mondays noon-7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Winter hours (Oct. 1-April 30) will be twice a week: Fridays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.).

Free monthly curbside pickups

Hennessey water, sewage and trash customers are reminded that the town provides once-a-month curbside pickups of bulky waste items (mattresses, household appliances, carpets, furniture, etc. See town website for entire list).

The sanitation trucks will drive the streets on this monthly schedule for “bulky waste”:

• 1st Wednesday – Customers in town limits west of Main Street.

• 2nd Wednesday – Customers in town limits east of Main and north of Oklahoma Avenue.

• 3rd Wednesday – Customers in town limits east of Main and south of Oklahoma and north of 7th Street.

• 4th Wednesday – All customers (in or out of town limits) south of 7th Street whether it be west or east of U.S. 81.

Other business

Water plant shutdown repairs in May – Tillman said parts for the water plant will not be in until May and they will shut off water for four or five days from the reverse osmosis plant to make repairs.

However, all water customers will still have water.

“It just won’t come from the plant,” said Tillman. “Our water has been running below the accepted nitrate rates, but even if it’s high it won’t affect me or you if we drink it,” Tillman told board members. She said it only affects babies.

New water department pickup – Tillman told the board a truck quote came in that afternoon (which was too late for the posted agenda the day before). The board approved the purchase in a 3-1 vote. The $39,874 cost is for a 2022 white Chevrolet 3500 twowheel drive truck with an installed utility bed with bumper and backup camera. It’s on a state bid from Joe Cooper Chevrolet.

Tillman said it’s budgeted and they’d been looking for one and were “lucky” to find it. She said it will replace a water department vehicle that “is out of commission.”

Jones cast the lone no vote on the purchase.

Howdy Travel Plaza contract OK’d – The board approved a revised and final contract with Howdy Truck Stop LLC and members noted they’d already started work.

The travel plaza will be located on U.S. 81 and north of S.H. 51.

Howdy has agreed to run water and sewer lines to that property at a cost of about $500,000. The town will begin to repay them each month from sales tax collections that are generated by the new business.

Pool opening and hirings – The public pool will open Saturday, May 21 (Memorial Day Weekend) as usual, said Tillman. There will also be a “soft opening” the day before for town employees.

Tillman said she had 20 apply for lifeguard jobs and she hired Juliana Macy, Emily Root and Wade Vinson.

She said all three worked at the pool last year.

Rates raised at campground – The rates for each of the three mobile home hookups will be raised from $280 a month to $350 plus $20 a day effective July 1.

The campground was intended for weekend or weekly visitors, and some have been there for more than two years, Tillman told the board before they approved the increase. The $280 they’ve been paying includes electricity, water and garbage.

Tillman said the January electric bill was $237.

Daycare declared surplus property – There has been vandalism at the former daycare on town property east of the library and the board declared it surplus property and voted to have it demolished.

Tillman was appointed emergency management director. She told the board that former Police Chief Ed Cangiano had that position, and she’d had it before him.