News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Recycling bins are seen near Northern Lights Arena in Alpena on Wednesday. The Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority has just over a week to find a new home for its recycling bins.

ALPENA — The Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority (NMMMA) has just over a week to remove its recycling bins, located just to the side of the Northern Lights Area, and find a new home for them.

Alpena County, which owns the ice arena, gave the NMMMA 60 days to remove the bins in March, but granted the recycling authority a two-week extension because of the ice storm and how it hampered the effort to secure new locations for them.

The new deadline is May 9, and the NMMMA says it is narrowing down a list of potential locations to move the bins to.

The county demanded the bins be removed for several reasons earlier this year. The primary reason was that the property the bins sit on was deeded to the county by the Besser Co., and the deed states the land can only be used for the purpose of soccer fields and other amenities used for the sport.

County Administrator Jesse Osmer said the county supports the local recycling program, but the bins must be moved because of the conflict they create with the terms of the deed. Administrators of Besser indicated to the county that it prefers the property in question be used for its intended purposes only.

“We felt in the spirit of Jesse Besser and what his intent was, it could be a slippery slope when it comes to using it for something else,” Osmer said.

The county also said that people often drop off recycling and other materials outside of the bins when they are full, and it makes the area around the arena look unattractive.

Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson, NMMMA president, said the authority has been working behind the scenes trying to find a new location, or locations, for the bins. She said right now, there are several options on the table, and the NMMMA is trying to make sure the upcoming decision on a new location is the one that makes the most sense.

“We just want to make sure we choose the best option, and once we have something nailed down, we’ll begin informing the public,” she said.

Johnson said the NMMMA’s intent is to have the bins moved by the deadline, and she expects that will occur.

When asked if a new location isn’t ironed out before the deadline, would the NMMMA seek another extension from the county, she said she hopes that isn’t in the cards, but that she also couldn’t rule it out.

“We need to move them, and we would rather move them,” she said. “If we had absolutely no choice but to ask for an extension, then we would, but we would rather just move them.”

Osmer said he is confident the NMMMA will remove the bins before the deadline and even suggested a place it could house them until a new location is determined. He also said that he isn’t sure the board of commissioners would grant another extension.

“They may have to take them out to the recycling property they have now until they find a place for them,” he said. “At this point, in terms of another extension, I would say the board seems pretty firm on this deadline.”

While the NMMMA continues to work toward a new location for its bins, it continues to offer services and special recycling events for residents of Alpena County. On Saturday, the authority is hosting its Clean Up and E-Waste Day. From 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Northern Lights Arena. The NMMMA said the Clean Up and E-Waste Day is an opportunity for Alpena County residents to drop off materials to be recycled. Some materials are free to drop off, while others have a small fee. People who live outside the county can also drop off their items if they pay for a $60 membership fee.

Johnson said a list of all the fees is available on the NMMMA website as well as all of the other local municipal websites.

The recycling authority is also recommending a $5 donation per vehicle to help support the event.

Johnson said people will also be able to check out and utilize the new bins that are dedicated for glass. She said the new bins will be at the NLA on Saturday and people can use them. After that however, she said they will be moved back to the recycling center until the new locations for them can be finalized.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.