Solid waste drop-off area now open

by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman

HURON – Solid Waste Supervisor Dale Fortin spoke to the Huron City Commission on Monday evening to update them that the recycling and yard waste drop-off area is now fully open and operational.
Fortin explained that city residents will have four free yard waste dumps per month and four recycling dumps per month. Residents will access the area using their driver’s license at the entrance kiosk. After selecting recycling or yard waste, the screen will indicate if the resident is eligible for a free drop-off. If payment is required, the driver can either insert or tap a credit or debit card. Once the card is accepted, the gate arm lifts for the driver to enter, using bins in the area to sort recycling.
Currently, each paid load, with taxes and fees, is $5.47 for county residents and business customers.
The meeting opened with multiple public forum reports. Members from the Huron chapter of the Beadle County Izaak Walton League gave an update on the range, including trap shooting for youth to begin this spring.
A resident of South Huron read a statement, thanking the Huron Fire Department, as well as multiple other area departments, for their work to fight a large grass fire to protect multiple homes and buildings. She encouraged the commission to ensure that the Huron department has all the equipment needed to protect Huron residents.
Finally, Mayor Mark Robish thanked the community and surrounding area for supporting restaurants during February’s Huron Burger Battle, reporting that 8,572 burgers were sold, adding more than 2,300 burgers to 2025’s total – and that’s just the Burger Battle burgers sold, not the total meals and sandwiches that were purchased during the month.
The first reading of Ordinance 2281-25-7, adding Jefferson School and the Habitch’s building to the list of historic preservation designations, was approved. The second reading was set for March 16.
Huron Community Campus director Doug Pietz reported on an upcoming opportunity for microcredential sessions through Northern State, the first of which will be held on April 8.
The commission approved a special alcohol permit for 1 Oak Events for a Huron Chamber Mixer on April 14 at Henny Penny Pet Corner.