Trash Talks Continue: Ahead of the new year, the Benton County Board of Commissioners got another update from the Benton County Trash Talks workgroup during their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
“A first very rough draft will go out in the beginning of January and then a second draft will be released at the meeting on January 19 ahead of draft three,” said Sam Imperati in an update to the commissioners. “In between all this the subcommittees will continue their work and in February we will send out a poll to see if there is anything that was missed and asked for comments that need to be added. We will also do a high-level public survey to ask for input on key findings or recommendations.”
The work group is nearing the deadline to submit the revised workplan for the county’s solid waste and disposal plan, including Coffin Butte landfill.
The landfill is in Benton County, approximately 10 miles north of Corvallis. The county’s plan consists of the excavation and relocation of the non-hazardous solid waste in the burn dump area to a new active landfill area. This would mean expanding the facility.
Commissioners voiced concern over the tight schedule of meetings and deadlines as well as the need for ample opportunity for public involvement.
The work group will continue to meet through March 2023 to create the revised workplan. All Meetings are open to the public and are open to public comment.
Daytime Warming Centers: Last night, Benton County hosted an overnight warming shelter from 3 pm to 8 am at First Christian Church in Corvallis. For today, officials are seeking to make those in need aware of available warming locations throughout the county:
Alsea
Alsea Community Library
19192 Alsea Highway, Alsea
541-487-5061
Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm)
Tuesday & Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm)
Web: cbcpubliclibrary.net/locations-and-hours
Corvallis
Corvallis-Benton Community Library
645 NW Monroe Avenue, Corvallis
541-766-6793
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Web: cbcpubliclibrary.net/locations-and-hours
Corvallis Community Center
2601 NW Tyler Avenue, Corvallis
541-766-6959
Email: c3@corvallisoregon.gov
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center
530 SW 4th Street, Corvallis
455-233-5327
Hours:
Walk-up Basic Needs
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Social Services (By appointment)
Monday – Friday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Web: corvallisddc.org
Corvallis Men’s Shelter (Unity Shelter)
211 SE Chapman Place, Corvallis
541-250-5113
Email: mens.shelter.manager@gmail.com
Hours:
Nightly 6:00 pm – 9:00 am
Web: unityshelter.org/mens-shelter2.html
Osborn Aquatic Center
1940 NW Highland Avenue, Corvallis
541-766-7946
Hours:
Monday – Friday 5:30 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Web: corvallisoregon.gov/osborn
Monroe
Monroe Community Library
380 N 5th Street, Monroe
541-847-5174
Hours:
- Tuesday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed for lunch from 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm)
- Wednesday 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Thursday 10:00am – 4:30pm (closed for lunch from 1:00 pm-1:30 pm)
- Friday: 10:00 am-4:30 pm (closed for lunch from 1:00 pm-1:30pm)
- Saturday: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
- Sunday and Monday: closed
Web: cbcpubliclibrary.net/locations-and-hours
Philomath
Philomath Community Library
1050 Applegate Street, Philomath
541-929-3016
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Web: cbcpubliclibrary.net/locations-and-hours
Philomath Fire Department
1035 Main Street, Philomath
541-360-0030
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, excluding holidays
Web: philomathfire.com
At press time, a decision had not been made about offering overnight sheltering this evening.
Additional local resources for people in need can be accessed through Community Services Consortium at: communityservices.us or by calling 541-928-6335.
Travel Safety: Benton County also issued a press release ahead of the holiday weekend from regional partners throughout the county to offer some travel safety tips.
In the release Benton County Public Information Officer Cory Groga said, “we want the public to know that it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit in their vehicle regardless of where they are traveling because conditions can change in a hurry in Oregon this time of year. If your trip doesn’t go as planned, you want to be prepared with a few essentials like a working flashlight with extra batteries, ice scraper and snow brush, shovel, first-aid kit, extra gloves, socks, blankets, some snacks, bottled water, jumper cables, and a spare tire.”
For tips for safe winter travel during the holiday season, and inclement weather generally, visit https://www.co.benton.or.us/boc/page/regional-partners-offer-holiday-safety-travel-tips
- By Jennifer Williams
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