Upper Savannah Council of Governments provides a wide scope of services and performs many functions. This activities report highlights this information and offers us the chance to regularly communicate our general activities in your county with you. Download the March report here.

Officials learned about a trash compaction service that can potentially save counties thousands of dollars and also viewed a demonstration of the company’s 6,000-pound roller “eating couches” at a local solid waste convenience center.

Upper Savannah COG invited MarshCat Mobile Compaction Service to make a presentation and demonstration to city and county administrators and public works officials during a Tuesday lunch meeting.

The veteran-owned and operated company uses a specialized truck equipped with a 6,000-pound roller with spikes to crush the contents of an overflowing open top trash dumpster commonly used at a recycle “convenience” center down to 30 percent or lower capacity.

The operator stays inside the cab of the truck which he parks with the rear facing the end of the dumpster. Using a joystick, the operator moves the roller into and around the dumpster, aided by cameras that give him a 360-degree view. It takes approximately five to 10 minutes to compact trash in each dumpster.

The compaction can potentially save counties thousands of dollars by reducing the number of trash hauls to landfills by 50-70 percent, reducing the number of hours for drivers, and slicing diesel fuel costs.

It also eliminates the occasional need to shut down a convenience center before official closing time due to overflows of yard debris, furniture, etc.

Additionally, it also reduces the need for backhoes and tractors that often suffer irreparable damage during compaction while also reducing the potential for damage to dumpsters.

This service could be provided on-site at a convenience center when needed most, possibly on Saturdays and Mondays during and after peak collection times.

MarshCat Compaction Owner Brian Elender who made the presentation said Dorchester County, S.C., saved approximately $650,000 in a year by using their services.

“It can take a dumpster with an overflowing load that your driver can’t even legally haul down the road (to the landfill) down to 30 percent capacity,” Elender said.

The service is environmentally friendly and greatly reduces trash in landfills, he said.

Six officials attended the presentation while a few traveled to a convenience center on Deadfall Road West in Greenwood County to watch a demonstration.

One dumpster used in the demonstration was overfilled and included two couches on top. The roller easily crushed the couches and all other items leaving the box only around 20-30 percent full (before and after pictures below). Click here for video.

MarshCat currently operates in the Charleston, Savannah and Columbia areas and is looking to grow into other parts of the state including the Upper Savannah region.

 

 

Upper Savannah’s three newest Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects are in the beginning stages while several other projects are progressing throughout the region.

The City of Greenwood was awarded $750,000 in December 2023 for streetscape improvements to Waller Avenue in Uptown. Conditions on Waller include broken, pieced and misaligned sections of sidewalk, unsecure fencing, root overgrowth, ADA accessibility concerns, poorly patched sections of road, worn curbing, and lack of parking stall signage.

Funds will be used to install sidewalks, brick roadway, curbing, ADA accessibility, parking stall indicators, landscaping and outdoor seating. The engineering phase has begun.

Greenwood County was awarded $1,278,510 in CDBG funding also in December to improve the Department of Social Services building. The building needs a new roof, HVAC, improved restrooms, asbestos abatement, ADA accessibility, lobby/waiting area improvements, flooring, lighting, repainting, parking lot and safety improvements. The County has recently met with the engineer for the project.

Also in December, the Town of Ninety Six was awarded $324,600 in CDBG funding to demolish the Ninety Six Mill Village Community Center. The structure is condemned due to mold, asbestos, and unstable interior conditions.

The Town would like to use CDBG funds to demolish the structure and turn the site into greenspace. This project is in the start-up phase.

The Booker T. Washington Sewer Upgrade project in the City of Greenwood will take place on Central Avenue, North Hospital Street, Brewer Avenue, and New Street. The project went out to bid Feb. 8; bids will be opened March 13.

The City of Abbeville Structure Demolitions project includes 12 vacant and condemned houses located on 102 Brooks St. East, 106 Brown St., 412 Cambridge St. West (Lots 3, 7 & 9), 403 Poplar St.; 102 Secession Ave; and 101, 103, 106, 109 and 112 Wilson St., in City of Abbeville. Asbestos testing has been completed; project will go out to bid soon.

The City of Abbeville Chestnut Street Park project which involves purchasing playground equipment, picnic tables, etc., will go out to bid sometime this spring.

The Town of Ridge Spring Sewer Rehab project is undergoing the acquisition of right of way. Project will go out to bid once acquisitions are complete.

Construction began on the Clinton-Joanna Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade in Laurens County in December. The completion date is expected to be around Aug. 30.

The Greenwood County Mathews Mill Sewer Phase I project construction began April 10, 2023, and will be completed this year. Mathews Mill Sewer Phase II construction is scheduled to begin March 4, with completion expected around Feb. 27, 2025.

The City of Clinton received $500,000 in CDBG funding in November 2021 for purchase of a new fire truck. Delivery date of the new truck is expected June 2024.

Town of McCormick Streetscape Phase II construction began in January 2023 with completion expected in mid June 2024. The project involves adding parking spaces behind Town Hall and construction of a Veterans Memorial.

The Town of Saluda Streetscape focuses on downtown beautification around North Main and West Church streets. The project went out to bid in October 2023. The bid award will be announced March 24.

Upper Savannah Council of Governments provides a wide scope of services and performs many functions. This activities report highlights this information and offers us the chance to regularly communicate our general activities in your county with you. Download the November report here.

 

 

 

Upper Savannah Council of Governments provides a wide scope of services and performs many functions. This activities report highlights this information and offers us the chance to regularly communicate our general activities in your county with you. Download the October 2023 report here.