Smooth ride at town dump

It was a long time coming, but dropping off garbage and recycling is a smoother process now at the Belgium town dump.

About a 36-foot square at the dump has been paved with a five-inch binder and overlay near the compactors.

“It’s hard to imagine it’s almost been 80 years since that’s been blacktopped,” Supr. Tom Bichler said.

The dump started in the 1940s.

Town Chairman Tom Winker said he “felt strongly” about getting the dump at 1215 Jay Rd. blacktopped.

He said he mentioned paving the lot to Bichler and fellow Supr. Bill Janeshek during the road tour each spring, when the Town Board inspects every road and prioritizes improvement projects.

“That’s something I’ve been hearing from the constituents,” Winker said of paving the dump.

While the board holds monthly meetings at the Town Hall, many residents’ interactions with the town are limited to dropping off their garbage and recycling.

“It’s our front door,” Winker said.

The paving cost more than $41,000. Ozaukee County did the job.

“I’m very proud to say they came in under budget,” Bichler said.

Jaenshek said he planned to have a salt barrel put at the dump so site supervisor Ron Swihart can address ice on the newly paved portion. A bucket of sand is already there, Swihart said.

The entrance to the dump is not paved.

The dump hosts the electronics recycling event each May during which a host of electronics and other items may be dropped off by residents of the town and village of Belgium.

The dump is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from October through April, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays in May through September.

The Town Board extended the Saturday period by one hour last year to appease residents’ requests to drop off items before heading to vacations or up north for the weekend.

The dump is also open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays from May through September.