The total amounts for annual estimated operational expenses, capital investments and capital reserve replacement estimates makes up the annual budget. The total annual budget is then divided by the number of people paying assessments to determine the annual assessment amount.
Committee chairpersons and administration are members of the finance committee. Committees and administration are responsible for estimating annual expenses, capital investments and capital replacement reserves. Once all budgets are reviewed an approved by the finance committee, the final proposed budget goes to the Board of Directors for their approval. The BOD has the final say for additions to and deletions from a finance committee- approved budget. The budget is normally approved late in the year which establishes the annual assessment.
What items are allowed in the trash compactor? The trash compactor is for household/residential trash only. So, the normal throw away products generated in the home when running a household are permitted or allowed. All items that are discarded in the compactor must be cut to a size 24” by 24” for the compactor to operate properly and no jam. Cardboard and other items of that nature that are household in nature should be cut to fit.
What items are not allowed in the trash compactor? The trash compactor is for residential trash—and items not normally associated with what is generated in a home, such as furniture, appliances, building materials, tires, paint, oil, and batteries are not allowed in the compactor
What happens if I place those items listed above that are not allowed in the compactor?
The compactor is provided for the benefit and use of LSEA residents and depends upon the community commitment and compliance with the rules and regulations that enable LSEA to provide this service. For those that abuse the privilege, surveillance cameras are in place and will record those that place items in the compactor so that enforcement is possible—including fines or penalties for those that fail to comply. That approach is not what any of us want to implement but may be necessary for those that abuse privilege.
How do I run the compactor?
Please remember to bring your gate card with you when dropping items into the trash compactor. After depositing your items into the trash compactor, if the bin you put your trash in is full to the bottom of the door, close the door and run the compactor. Place your gate card on the card reader by the compactor door to start the compacting process. If the bin is not full to the bottom of the door, you do not need to run the compactor.
What if the compactor is running when I arrive?
If you can hear the compactor running when you approach, wait until it has stopped before opening the door and depositing your trash. The normal cycle is about 2 ½ minutes and no more than 5 minutes. Do not open the door or press the red button when the compactor is running as it will stop. If you stop the cycle by opening the door to throw your trash in the compactor, you may end up depositing your trash behind the plunger which creates a maintenance and repair issue
What do I do if the trash bin is gone when I want to drop off my trash?
If the trash compactor unit is gone, please take your items back home and return 2 hours later, when the bins have been emptied and replaced. DO NOT leave items on the ground or on the ramp.
Can I leave “useful” items near the compactor for someone else who might want them?
Please do not leave “slightly used” items near the trash compactor in hope that someone else may want them. Take your items to a donation center or save them for the next large trash dumpster. Leaving items out “on display” causes undue cost for the Public Works Department, who must gather and store them until our next large dumpster arrives. Social Media has Buy, Sell, and Trade pages available. You can also post your items on the bulletin board in Sherwood Mail Center.
What should I do with the waste from a major cleanup or home remodel?
All contractor bids must include off site waste removal provisions. A homeowner DIY project must include hauling debris to the local dump or contracting for a dumpster at the home site. This includes “major” jobs such as clearing out a garage, basement, or preparing to move. Our compactor is not equipped to handle the entire contents of one resident’s garage or basement. No construction waste is allowed in any LSEA trash or recycle containers.
What should I do with my yard waste?
Yard waste (leaves, brush, wood, and limbs smaller than 4 inches) is to be taken to the burn pile, located near the wastewater treatment facility. No stumps, construction materials, lumber or any debris with nails are allowed. The key to the burn pile gate can be obtained from Security, at the Administration Building. This key must be returned immediately, and the gate must be locked between trips.
Where can I take my recycling? (please call these locations to confirm their ongoing participation as recycling centers)
Franklin County Recycle Center
Washington, MO 63090
636-239-1745
City of Washington Recycle Center
Washington, MO 63090
636-390-3950
East Central Missouri Recycling Center
24448 South Hwy 47
Warrenton, MO
636-456-3473 (Booneslick Regional Planning Commission)
Charles County Recycle Works-West
2110 E. Pitman Avenue
Wentzville, MO 63385
636-949-7900 Ext. 4267
What are the fines or Penalties that can be assessed for failure to comply with rules and regulations? Where are the fine proceeds placed?
The minimum fine is $25.00, and the maximum fine is $100.00, and the fine proceeds are placed in a General Fund.
Who collects those fines or assessments?
The payment of fines can be made via mail, in person or drop box and if not paid will be carried on the members account as an outstanding item until paid.
What items are allowed for large item disposal and When is it available?
The large item bin is available the last 4 full workdays—Tuesday through Friday, at the end of every even month, (eg. February, April, June, August, October, December) for disposal of large items that do not fit or are not allowed in the compactor. However certain items are not allowed in the large bin, nor compactor and they include—tires, batteries(including auto, marine, laptop, power tool batteries) , paint, waste oil, construction waste including railroad ties, yard waste, car parts, bricks, appliances larger than a microwave, and bathroom/kitchen fixtures
So, if I have items that cannot be placed in the compactor and cannot be placed in the large trash bin then where can I dispose of those items?
There is a burn pile that can provide an option to dispose of certain items—The burn pile—is located below the dam and these items can be disposed of there—yard waste, leaves, trimmings, grass—loose or in paper bags, tree branches less than 6 inches in diameter. However, construction debris, shingles, treated wood, any wood with nails in it, are not allowed at the burn pile.
What can I do with recyclables as the recycle bins are no longer available?
A list of facilities that accept recycled items—paper, aluminum, plastic etc., is listed in a posting in the mail room. Nearby—the New Melle Fire Dept accepts aluminum and their bin is located next to their building just outside the entrance to Lake Sherwood.
What can I do to dispose of items that do not fit the compactor, large item bin, burn pile or are recyclable?
Public Dumps are available in nearby communities—Wentzville, and Washington, that for a small fee will accept your materials that cannot be disposed of at LSEA.