Expansion of Bigfork's green box site a possibility

Size restrictions, property lines, box arrangement, safety concerns and fencing are on the discussion table in determining the future of Bigfork’s green box site.

The Bigfork Green Box committee and Flathead County Solid Waste Operation Manager Jim Chilton scoped out the site’s footprint, layout and property lines on Thursday morning.

“We all recognize the green box site in the future needs to be fenced, gated, and have hours of operation,” committee member Bob Keenan said. “I think we have in general made great progress with the Solid Waste Board. They understand the community is set in wanting the green box site.”

But how this will be done is a work in progress.

Last week Robert Peccia and Associates surveyed the site. Chilton said they marked out the property that’s leased from the Montana Department of Transportation so the committee could see what’s being used and what’s currently available.

County requirements are for green box sites to be about three acres. Bigfork’s site is 383 feet long by 80 feet wide. Chilton said the ideal size is a minimum of 150 feet wide by 300-400 feet long.

Committee member Paul Mutascio said it’s possible to move the east side of the green box site closer to the property line.

“That would hypothetically gain another 16 to 17 feet to the south and about 25 feet of working pad to the east within the boundaries of MDT’s property,” Chilton said.

Mutascio said the group discussed the organizations and property owners they would need to work with to make the necessary size changes to the green box site. One of their ideas was to remove the utility pole near the center of the site.

Chilton said the pole can’t be moved because it’s a major transition line for Flathead Electric Co-op.

Part of the issue with the Bigfork site stems from its shape. Ideally, green box sites need to be square to accommodate traffic, according to Keenan.

“There are opportunities to redesign where the boxes are kept,” Mutascio said. “I saw flexibility on the county’s part on ways to change the site to make it acceptable.”

One option is to position the boxes at an angle so the dump trucks have more room when approaching them for unloading.

“‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ applies in this case,” Mutascio said.

Committee member Bob Keenan said the group is also addressing safety concerns by taking a look at Montana 83 traffic, speed limit and accesses. There are 15 accesses between Swan River School and Montana 35 and the speed limit is currently 70 mph.

“It is an issue and it’s a sensitive one for the department of transportation, but if we pointed out the number of accesses we might have a better case,” Keenan said. “It’s a real complex process to change speed limits.”

Committee member Karin Henion said fencing would provide two functions, preventing inappropriate dumping and as a visual barrier. Examples of inappropriate dumping include things like toxic waste, industrial materials, and even certain household items such as couches and mattresses.

“Trees will make a green barrier (in addition to fencing) and be more pleasing and aesthetic to the surrounding property owners,” Henion said.

According to Mutascio, the committee and the county have not considered moving the green box site to a different location because the county was unable to find another suitable spot.

Mutascio said during last week’s tour of the site, a resident said if he had to take his garbage to Somers or Creston he would continue on to Kalispell to do his shopping.

“The impact is much larger than imagined,” Mutascio said. “It could have a dampening effect on the community.”

The committee’s next meeting will be at Flathead Bank on Friday, March 15 at 2 p.m.