By Randy Arrington
LURAY, April 7 — The Town of Luray suspended its recycling program due to a lack of manpower as of Monday, April 6.
The town’s recycling program utilizes inmates from the Page County Jail. Due to the executive orders issued by Governor Ralph Northam, inmates are being confined to incarceration facilities and work programs are being suspended.
“That ceases our use of inmates,” Luray town manager Steve Burke said Tuesday. “We simply don’t have the manpower to keep up with mowing efforts, as well as recycling efforts.”
Inmates from the Page County Jail help the town with both mowing and recycling, as well as other projects.
“We anticipate after COVID-19 responses have eased and use of the inmates is possible … we will resume the recycling program in the town,” Burke said. “We encourage all of our citizens to take their recyclable materials to the county landfill.”
Routine garbage collection will continue as usual, according to Burke.
Luray’s public parks are technically open, but they are limited in their use as all facilities within them are closed. All picnic shelters, public bathrooms, skatepark, beach and playgrounds are shut down at Lake Arrowhead, Ralph Dean Park and Inn Lawn Park.
“The shelters act as a place for folks to gather in larger groups, so we thought it was best to shut them down,” Burke said.
Town hall is currently closed to Luray residents. Burke encourages those coming to pay utility bills use one of two drop boxes — near the front door or behind the building — or pay online (through the town website).
For those with zoning permit issues or general questions, use the two drop boxes or call the Town Office at (540) 743-5511.
Luray Council is scheduled to meet Monday, April 13 and plans are being made to livestream that meeting on Facebook. At that meeting, the council will consider a remote meeting ordinance to allow conducting future meetings by virtual means until the COVID-19 outbreak passes.
“As a result, we would request any citizens with comments about anything on the agenda, or any other matter,” Burke said, “to email or call-in and we will read [those comments] at future meetings.”
Information about town actions, as well as links to various COVID-19 resources, is on the town’s website at: www.townofluray.com
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