Murphy – The county closed household disposal sites in early April at 9701 Hiwassee Dam Access Road and Bear Paw at 9 Power House Road.
Next on the chopping block is likely Whitener Bend at 8997 Joe Brown Highway, but not until work is completed opening a new convenience site at 12726 Joe Brown Highway, a 3½-mile drive north.
The Board of Commissioners approved $35,000 for the land – about an acre with roadside frontage – plus $3,157 for closing costs. The unanimous decision followed a closed-session discussion at the board’s April 17 meeting.
The triangular-shaped property has been owned by Dawn Gabrielli.
County Manager Randy Wiggins said there will be work done to improve the Texana convenience site at 12 Texana Community Center Road as well. Meanwhile, people who had used the Violet and Bear Paw sites are advised
to use the convenience center at 20 Candy Mountain Road.
County officials say the closures were the result of abuse and high cost at the remote locations.
The affected sites are called “green box” sites to be used only by Cherokee County residents to dispose of residential solid waste, typically bagged. The sites are unstaffed but under video surveillance.
Whitener Bend and Texana are the last remaining green box disposal sites, with Whitener Bend to close and Texana to be expanded.
The other sites combine green box and recycling. Some sites are staffed and keep regular hours while others are monitored by surveillance cameras. These sites are at the Cherokee County Landfill, Granny Squirrel, Peachtree, Martins Creek, Candy Creek, Mountain Folk Center, Candy Mountain and Hanging Dog at White Church.