Ribbon cutting canceled

COLFAX — The ribbon cutting for a new Whitman County household waste facility was canceled before being booked.

The new moderate risk waste facility cost nearly $1 million and is located at the waste transfer station south of Colfax.

Public Works Director Mark Storey reported the building is “substantially complete.” An inspection by the health department would come next before hazardous materials are allowed to be brought in.

“We’re very close,” said Storey.

He asked for a decision on whether commissioners wanted to hold a ceremony on March 9, the day of a tour for Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) members.

Commissioner Art Swannack noted that commissioners are prohibited from holding an in-person meeting due to state virus restrictions.

“I will take that as a let’s just not do it at this time,” said Storey.

“The SWAC committee can’t legally meet together,” Swannack said.

“They can’t as one group,” said Storey.

It was decided to potentially have one commissioner attend the March 9 SWAC gathering to mark the opening of the facility.