A pink garbage can that meets size and design of the town’s standard green ones is now legal in Fuquay-Varina.

The town board last week approved an amendment to an ordinance that limits town garbage pickup to the standard issue 95-gallon, green containers issued to all residents. Under the amendment a citizen wishing to use a can of a different color or style must have it checked by the Public Works Department to determine its size and to determine that it can by picked up by a mechanical lift and dumped just as the town-owned cans are.

If Public Works approves the container, the request will be forwarded for final approval by the town board.

The matter of unique garbage cans arose recently when a newcomer to town, L’Tonya Meeks, was upset that the town failed to pickup her trash because her pink garbage can wasn’t government-issue. She said she had purchased the container from the “1 In 9” organization which is raising money for the Susan B. Komen Foundation dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

Interlocal agreement approved

In other business the board voted to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Wake County Board of Education to collaborate on developing a master plan for a public park and for school use on land off Old Honeycutt Road. Several years ago the town purchased a 10.25 acre tract for a future park. As plans for the Southlakes housing development moved forward, a site for an elementary school was identified next to the town’s park land.

The two public boards now plan to work together on a master plan and hope eventually to come up with a joint use agreement. In recommending participation in the planning, Town Manager Jon Barlow said in a memorandum, “The town and the School Board have several Joint Use Agreements in place, and they have served their intended purpose well.”

Once upon a time . . in Parks and Rec

At a recent town board meeting commissioners decided that, in view of the town’s move to establish its own recreational sports program, it needs a Recreation Advisory Committee to work with the Parks and Recreation staff and the Community in determining what programs are needed and how established programs are working.

In doing some research prior to recommending a procedure for establishing such a Committee, Town Manager Jon Barlow discovered that Fuquay-Varina established a Recreation Advisory Committee in 1974; however, the town board minutes showed that such committee has not met in more than 20 years.

Barlow gave board members a copy of the ordinance setting up the earlier Advisory Committee along with a longer and a much more specific ordinance proposal developed by the Parks and Recreation Department with his endorsement. No action was taken on the proposal last week.