By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

The Isle of Wight public works committee appears to be favoring a hybrid plan for the county’s eight convenience centers.

The goal is to make the hours more uniform and less confusing, said Isle of Wight Director of Public Works Tony Wilson.

Also being discussed are ways to stop, or at least cut down on, illegal dumping by non-residents.

The committee met Monday and includes Newport District Supervisor William McCarty and Windsor Supervisor Joel Acree. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

The hybrid plan adds three more hours a week, fewer overall closures and costs $431 more a year than the current, more confusing weekly hours.

Under the hybrid plan, all centers would be closed on Wednesdays and all would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Camptown, Walters and Crocker centers would be closed on Mondays and Fridays.

The Carrsville, Carroll Bridge, Staves Mill, Jones Creek and Wrenn’s Mill centers would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.

There’s no plan that is going to be liked by everyone, said McCarty, who suggested the Board revisit convenience center hours after hearing complaints on the campaign trail.

McCarty had drawn up a plan, but agreed with staff that the hybrid plan would also accommodate site maintenance and improvements.

The committee also discussed ways to stop illegal dumping, and suggestions included returning to car decals, implementing a “throw as you go” system using coupons and continuing with random drivers license checks.

The convenience center hours were changed in 2014 to cut costs, align hours with neighboring communities, address maintenance issues and conform with the Affordable Care Act in terms of part-time employees. Center hours were based on the amount of trash and the number of visits. The change was estimated to save about $140,000. The current manpower cost is about $238,853. If the Board of Supervisors adopts the hybrid plan, it would cost about $239,284.

The issue is expected to go before the Board in April.  {/mprestriction}