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This is the entrance to the new location of the city of Pipestone’s compost and branch site. The driveway is just north of the driveway to the current compost and branch site. Photo by Kyle Kuphal
The city of Pipestone plans to relocate its compost and branch site on North Hiawatha because it’s in the floodway, which is not allowed by city code.
Public Works Director Mike Bloemendaal said during a special June 18 utility committee meeting that there was some work to do at the new site to make it ready for public use. It’s not yet clear when the new site will be ready, but he said it would be this summer.
The entrance to the new site is north of the entrance to the current site, just past the bridge over the county ditch. A driveway leads to the east and then curves to the south to reach the new location, which is east of the current site, across the ditch and on higher ground.
Bloemendaal said he planned to see how the new location works out this year and that it could be adjusted next year if needed.
The compost and branch dump site is for Pipestone residents only and is open 24 hours a day. Only leaves, lawn clippings, trees, bushes, branches and garden waste are allowed to be disposed of at the site.
Delaney suggested that signs be posted to remind people that one area is for compost and one area is for trees and branches. He also reminded people that no garbage or man-made material is to be dumped at the site.
“When you get people who are dropping garbage bags and furniture, those are the types of things that abuse it and ruin it for everybody and I don’t want to see that because I think it’s a nice service that the city has for people,” Delaney said.
The existing area has camera surveillance and the new area will as well.
City Administrator Deb Nelson said the current location will likely be returned to grass once the new site is opened.