Town refuses to waive recycling fees for St. Paul business destroyed in fire

Town of St. Paul council voted against a motion to waive approximately $1,000 in recycling fees for the owners of a local business which was destroyed in a fire late last month. The service garage, located at 52 St and 50 Ave in St. Paul was a local landmark featuring replicas of Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen from the Disney film Cars.

“The town has always treated us right, and we want to do the right thing by cleaning up our unfortunate mess,” wrote Kelley Prymych, one of the owners of the shop.

He noted he and his father did not have insurance and called the time since the fire an “overwhelming and very expensive transition.”

The fire completely destroyed the building, but was deemed accidental by St. Paul Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich.

According to information provided by Director of Public Works Steven Jeffery, the concrete blocks can be safely disposed of by the St. Paul Transfer Station. He recommended against waiving the fees so as “not to set a precedent.”

According to Town of St. Paul CAO Kim Heymen, the town is able to make a payment plan with the Prymych’s.

There was no further discussion by council and the request was denied.

The Town did forward the request to the County of St. Paul which owns a 25 per cent stake in the transfer station. At the meeting Nov. 10, Div. 1 Coun. Darrell Younghans said “you have to feel some empathy for them.” A motion by Div. 2 Coun. Kevin Wirsta to deny the request carried.

A GoFundMe organized by family friend Christine Hanson has raised $3,390 of a $20,000 goal as of Nov. 9.