OAKLAND (KCBS)— Preventing people from illegally dumping mattresses is the focus of a new pilot program now underway in Alameda County. Using grant money, the county’s waste management agency plans on paying people for bringing their old, unwanted mattress to a recycler. StopWaste is the Alameda County agency that implements solid waste programs. Gary Wolff, the program’s executive director, said illegally dumped mattresses are an unsightly and extremely costly problem. “I think people see mattresses on the streets sometimes think, ‘Oh, that’s ugly. But I don’t think people understand that it’s in the vicinity of half a million mattresses a year being dumped into our common spaces around the state and a burden of $20 million for our local government to clean them up,” he said. StopWaste is using a $25 thousand grant to put bounties on mattresses, offering $12 for a king, $10 for a queen and $6 for a twin to be paid out when the bedding is brought to Oakland-based mattress recycler— DR3.
“We’re going to find out whether that’s enough incentive for people who scavenge materials and sell them, of whom there are a great many in our society, to find out whether that’s enough money for them to move mattresses to the appropriate location.” Wolff said information from the pilot will be used to develop a statewide mattress recycling program that goes into effect next January.OAKLAND HOUSE COTTAGES BY THE SIDE OF THE SEA Welcoming Guest into a World Set in Yesteryear...Now, in its 128th Season. Policies for the 2017 season If you will be staying in a room at Hostel@Acorn by the Sea, policies vary slightly. See our Hostel@Acorn Policies. Cancellation or Date Changes: Deposits are fully refundable only if the reservation is changed or cancelled more than forty-five days prior to arrival date (sixty days for reservations longer than two weeks or those that involve more than one accommodation). Deposits for reservations cancelled or changed less than forty-five days prior to arrival date may be refundable, less a $50 cancellation fee,
only if we are able to rebook the cottage. Trip insurance is recommended. Substitution of Accommodations: Occasionally through unforeseen circumstances an accommodation may have to be changed. If at all possible, guests are consulted prior to arrival. When a more expensive accommodation is substituted, guests are not charged for the difference. If it is necessary to substitute a less expensive accommodation, the lower price will be charged. At the time of reservation, we require a deposit of 50% of the total reservation including tax and $200 refundable security deposit. The remaining balance is due one month before arrival. We would prefer a check; however we also accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. We require a credit card number to be kept on file for all reservations. Hide-a-beds, Porta-cribs and High Chairs: There is a supplemental fee of $15/person/day for each extra guest (over the age of 7) who sleeps on a hide-a-bed sofa in the living room.
We do not have roll-away beds, but do have porta-cribs and high chairs at no charge. cottage maximum occupancies apply. Due to the risk of bedbugs, no sleeping bags or personal inflatable mattresses are allowed in our cottages. Check-in time is any time after 4 p.m. If we are out of the office at the time of your arrival, we will post your "Welcome and Check-in" instructions on the bulletin board by the old hotel office door. Requests for early check-ins must be approved in advance. Checkout time is any time prior to 11 a.m. Requests for late checkout must be approved in advance. We do not permit smoking of any kind inside any of our buildings. Ashtrays are provided on cottage porches and patios for smoker's use. Smoking is not allowed in the Hotel or Barn, on their porches or in areas designated for public use. safety reasons, all smoking materials be extinguished in designated receptacles and not on the grounds or trails. Any evidence of smoking found
in guest cottages will result in a $500 cleaning charge. Dogs are Whole Heartedly Welcomed in Birches Cottage: We do not allow dogs on Oakland House beaches. Dogs must be on leashWe charge $10/day per dog; one dog per cottage. See our We do not allow cats or other pets. Light House Keeping and Firewood Delivery: We will be providing daily housekeeping services from . Our Daily Housekeeping consists of: Making beds with linen change mid-week and after check-out, vacuuming, replacing soiled towels, delivering firewood/laying a fresh fire in the fireplace, and removal of trash and recyclables. Cleaning kitchens and washing dishes are your responsibility. No matter the season, the cottages will be clean with fresh linens and pillows on the beds, fresh bath and kitchen towels, and wood in the wood box, Dish soap, hand and body soap, shampoo, cleaning supplies, tissues, toilet paper Our cottages have full kitchens or kitchenettes in which to fix meals.
Our kitchenettes have a refrigerator, sink, counter, automatic coffee maker, toaster, electric or induction hot plate, and microwave oven. Our full kitchens are complete with the preceding and also an oven and stovetop burners. A large assortment of utensils, dishes, pots and pans are provided. Limited WiFi in Cottages: The cottages have "country" WiFi that is sufficient for most information requests, Google queries and email on a laptop or smart phone. It is not sufficient for large photo file uploads or streaming video or audio. Higher speed connections are available at the Brooksville and Blue Hill Libraries and several restaurants in Blue Hill. There is intermittent and spotty cell phone service on our property although there are areas that are better than others. We have an old-fashioned pay phone booth on the porch of the old hotel. Local calls are FREE. Credit cards are required for calls outside our immediate area. The Barn will be open for scheduled activities.
The upright piano is well tuned. The barn can be reserved and is a great place for a family gathering, a catered meal or reception. The beaches are "glass free", "alcohol free", "smoke free", and "pet free" zones, thank-you. Fires are not allowed on the beaches (or grounds) at any time. Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am we ask that you respect the peace and quiet of the days and evenings on this gentle coast of Maine. Small boats may be launched at high tide at Herrick's Landing by Oakland House guests with our priorThere are many submerged rocks along our shore and thus the oceanfront is not suitable for jet skis. Additionally, we have a place where you can store your small boat trailer while you are staying with us. The tides rise and fall 12 - 15 feet twice a day. guests do not have access to the dock, there are other options available. Oakland House has two moorings that you might inquire about for your use and you could come ashore with your own dingy.