Changes to Oak Ridge’s Solid Waste Services to Begin in July

Beginning in July, the City’s 25-year solid waste contract will end, and the new contract will begin – meaning changes will occur with City of Oak Ridge Solid Waste services.

Regular trash pickup will continue to be provided weekly but will now be picked up at the curb. New and larger, 95-gallon, trash bins will be provided at no cost. The new bins, which will have bigger wheels, will be delivered in mid-June. They will include an information packet on the services and how you can dispose of your current trash bin, if you choose.

Recycling services will remain curbside. The brown recycling bins will be replaced if they are currently damaged and need replacement.

“With the savings from reusing our current recycling bins, we are able to keep the rate increase with the new contract low,” Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson said.

The residential waste/recycling fee will only increase by $1.20 per month, from $14 to $15.20.

To request backdoor pickup, contact Oak Ridge Public Works at (865) 425-1875 to request a form that shows verification from a medical provider that they have a disability or physical limitations that prevent them from being able to bring their trash to the curb.

The form can also be found at bit.ly/ORbackdoorpickup and on the City’s website at OakRidgeTN.gov/department/PublicWorks/Home, by clicking ‘Apply for Backdoor Pickup’ under the dropdown menu for ‘Household Trash & Recycling’ at the top of the page.

Brush pickup will continue to be conducted once, annually, in the spring.

After receiving feedback from residents that the annual fall leaf pickup was taking too long, the new contract will require the pickup to be completed within 60 days.

Many residents have previously expressed the desire for an additional pickup for bulky, household rubbish like old appliances and furniture no larger than 3' high x 4' wide x 8' long, and 100 cubic feet.

Therefore, household trash pickup will now be held twice a year: spring and fall.

Residents can use the Warehouse Road Convenience Center 5 days per week, Wednesday through Sunday. It will be closed on Monday and Tuesday to allow for staff to conduct maintenance on the machines and equipment.

For more information, contact Oak Ridge Public Works at (865) 425-1875.

The Pilot Club of Oak Ridge donated a dozen bicycle helmets this month to ORPD to help keep your noggins safe while biking!

While out patrolling, officers will keep a helmet in their vehicles to give to anyone they meet who may need a bike helmet this spring.

In Tennessee, helmets are required for people riding bicycles under the age of 16. While they are not required for those over 16, we strongly recommend all bicycle riders wear helmets.

Thank you, Pilot Club of Oak Ridge for keeping our people safe!

Oak Ridge Firefighter/Paramedic Bryan Chase received his Managing Officer Designation last month from the National Fire Academy (NFA). Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson and Fire Chief Travis Solomon presented the designation to Chase. 

The NFA’s Managing Officer Program is a multi-year curriculum that introduces emerging emergency services leaders to personal and professional skills in change management, risk reduction, and adaptive leadership. To achieve this designation, Firefighter Chase had to complete five prerequisite courses followed by four core courses at the NFA over a 2-year period. Additionally, he had to complete a Capstone Project where he applied the training he received. His project focused on using new technology to improve ORFD pre-incident planning and community risk reduction processes. This project has identified areas where a higher risk of fire exists and presents strategies that can be used to reduce this risk.

Firefighter Chase has been with the department since 2007 and was the 2013 ORFD Firefighter of the Year. He currently is assigned to Station 1 where he is a firefighter, engineer, paramedic, and acting captain when needed.

Additionally, he earned his Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree from the University of Memphis with a dual concentration in Fire Service Administration and Fire Prevention Technology. He is also an accredited Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

It's regatta season! The 2021 Dogwood Junior Championship Regatta took place at Melton Lake last month.

Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally presented the winners of the Men and Women's Youth 8+ and the winners of the Governor's Cups.

The Cincinnati Juniors won the Men's Youth 8+ and the Governor's Cup with a time of 6 minutes and 16 seconds. Saint Andrews won the Women's Youth 8+ and the Governor's Cup with a time of 7 minutes and 2 seconds.

Dogwood Juniors is the premier 2000-meter test for youth across the Southeast. 800 rowers came to Oak Ridge for the event. There were about 1,000 observers, family members, and fans who came to cheer them on.

Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA) is located at 697 Melton Lake Drive; Oak Ridge TN 37830. ORRA hosts a number of events each year.

Watson was recognized at the 2021 MPPA Hooding & Awards Ceremony that included Fall 2019 graduates. Among those graduates was Assistant to the City Manager Eric Ault who received his Masters in Public Policy and Administration. He joined the City in February 2020.

Some of the City’s former interns and assistants include Bruce Applegate, ACM Covington, KY; Athanasia Senecal-Lewis, ACM Cambridge, MN; Lily Seabolt, City of Knoxville; and Aaron Gold, associate professor Coast Guard Academy.

According to the University of Tennessee, the MPPA is a professional degree program designed to prepare students to assume responsible positions in public service through a program of study that integrates the theory and practice of public administration and public policy. The program aspires to produce graduates who are literate in the fields of public administration and public policy, have the skills to be effective managers of organizational resources, and possess the analytical abilities to be creative problem solvers.