Woolmarket dumpsters closed after latest misuse

The city, acting on advice from the state Department of Environmental Quality, has closed the public dumpsters at the Woolmarket Fire Station after the latest discovery of hazardous materials being left at the site.

The three dumpsters had been provided as a free convenience for residents to drop off non-hazardous trash — such as tree limbs, lawn clippings or discarded furniture — but DEQ officials this week had to remove hazardous materials that included five-gallon buckets of paint primer, muriatic acid, and used hydraulic oil and motor oil. It was the second instance in which DEQ had to remove hazardous materials from the site.

“Residents don’t ordinarily use five-gallon containers of primer,” a DEQ worker told the city, “so even though you have signs out there saying residential-use only, it’s apparently a contractor who left this.”

Residents can now leave non-hazardous trash for the city’s curbside pickup, or bring it to Coastal Recyclers Landfill on Hudson-Krohn Road. The site is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and fees begin at $12 for a pickup load of trash. Details: (228) 392-0690.

Household hazardous waste can be dropped off the second Saturday of every month, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Harrison County Work Center on Lorraine Road, south of Interstate 10. The free monthly service is provided by the Harrison County Beautification Commission, (228) 214-1405 or jrspiers@co.harrison.ms.us.

News and notes

Webcasting: Biloxi Police Chief John Miller discusses the possibility of implementing the city’s traffic plan on this week’s City Desk webcast. To listen to the 14-minute program, which was recorded Thursday, click here.

Traffic update: To see a status report on road construction projects throughout Biloxi and to see links to MDOT traffic cameras, click here.

Historically speaking: The city is now seeking nominations for individuals or groups who have worked to perserve and promote the city’s architectural charm, history and culture. To read more about the upcoming preservation awards and to see a nomination form, click here.