Dump & Garbage Disposal History; Town of Lisbon
by Michael R. Reilly
October 22, 2005 Updated 12/18/2005
Do you have Town garbage stories to share? Ijust learned that Sussex had a dump near Locust and Main Sts. (east side) andlater an apartment complex was built on the site. Some residents had a sinkingfeeling come over them.
As society evolved so did the garbage it created. Earlylocal residents didn’t have to contend (much less even thought of) with the hugeamount of disposable containers, packaging, and appliances as we do today. Foodwas hardly ever wasted or thrown out, and its storage was in reusable pottery,glass, or similar containers. If food wasn’t purchased from bulk receptacles, itwas sold in simple biodegradable packaging, ex. meat, sold by the butcher waswrapped in paper. Rarely would appliances be thrown away, they were repaired. Onthe farm, anything that could possibly have a useful purpose was kept, seldomdid one not have a junk pile to scrounge from for replacement parts.
Eventually municipalities and residents became aware ofthe health and ecological hazards of just leaving their garbage any old place.One of the earliest ways of controlling waste was for someone to provide onelocation within a community to dispose of unwanted materials, and that becamethe dump.
When I first moved to the Town of Lisbon in 1988, I oftenwondered how I was going to dispose of certain items that weren’t appropriatefor the trash can? Was there a dump? Not until later did I learn that the wastecompany would pick up larger items, if left by the roadside, and the company wascalled to pick it up for disposal. But let’s get back to the Town Dump. I firstbecame aware that the Town of Lisbon ever had a dump was while researching thelocal library history, and came across the following:
Lisbon residents manage to keep library services, $20,000worth, by closing down the town dump, and borrowing for needed items suchas road equipment. Source: Sussex Sun, Tuesday, May31, 1977, page 9.
My library research provided additionalinsight into the dump and garbage disposal situation (and history) within thetown.
Henry Nagy, owner of the quarry onPlainview Rd. , west of Hwy J (164) decided not to renew the town’s lease for adump operation because the Wisconsin D.N.R. said it was too full. The Town ispaying $35,000 per year for its operation. Nagy started leasing the site on June1, 1964. Source: Sussex Sun, Tuesday, June 28,1977, page 1.
The site is now leased on a month by monthbasis until an alternate site is found. Town Supervisor Alan Schroeder islooking into alternatives; curb-side pickup, a dumpster system or nothing.Pickup is recommended at an annual cost of $40-50 per residence. plus aninvestment by the Town of $70,000-80,000. The Town is not required to supplywaste disposal services. Source: Sussex Sun,Tuesday, June 28, 1977, page 7.
Reserve Circuit court Judge Max Raskinruled Monday, August 1, that the Lisbon Town board must call a special meetingto allow residents to consider the garbage disposal issue.There are 1,400 Town residences. Page15.
Special meeting tovote on type of garbage service or non-service the town will have. Source:Sussex Sun, Tuesday, September 6, 1977, page 3 and 4.
Garbage vote processis described, and people are upset over garbage suit costs. Source:Sussex Sun, Tuesday, September 13, 1977, page 1.
Awaiting out-come ofLisbon Town meeting vote. Pictures. Source: SussexSun, Tuesday, September 20, 1977, page 1 and 8.
Garbage pickupfavored by vote. After September 30, the dump will be used on a day to day basiswhen Town’s lease expires.
“Town to move on trash“. Source:Sussex Sun, Tuesday, October 4, 1977, page 1. Summitand Hales Corners used as a guide for Lisbon garbage.Source: Sussex Sun, Tuesday, October 4, 1977, page 6.
“Lisbon towndump still open“. Costing town $800-1,000 per week in equipment andwages to operate. Source: Sussex Sun, Tuesday,October 18, 1977, page 1.
Town still leasingdump; $800 allocated in 1978 budget for continued service use. Source:Sussex Sun, Tuesday, December 13, 1977, page 2.
“A-1 low Lisbon garbage bidder“.A-1 Disposal Service of Menomonee Falls was awarded the garbage contract Mondaynight, December 19. Bid of $43.20 per unit per year; next lowest bid wasSanitary Disposal of Delafield at $58. 3-year contract with 2nd year at $45, and3rd year $46.80. A-1services 18 other municipalities. Garbage fee of $48 will beput on the tax bills as a special assessment. Provides up-the-drive pickupexcept for large items. A-1 uses United Waste land fill site in Germantown. Aletter informing residents of which day their garbage will be picked up will bemailed out before January 1, 1978. Source: Sussex Sun,Tuesday, December 20, 1977, page 1.
“Lisbon’s garbage pick-up begins” – theformal proposal was approved by the Lisbon Board at its Wednesday, December 28,1977 meeting. No limit on number of garbage containers, but no more than 32 gal.in size and weight greater than 75 lbs. No pasteboard or 55 gal. drums allowed.Businesses must contact the Lisbon Town Hall and are required to pay in advance.Article shows a town map divided into quadrants indicating day of pick-up. Source: Sussex Sun,Tuesday, January 3, 1978, page 1.