A pilot program involving a four-camera monitoring system will soon launch at the Route 56 solid waste site in Buckingham County.

The program — announced during a report Monday during the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors meeting — is part of a solid waste committee’s exploration of options and potential recommendations to supervisors.

Much of the committee’s discussion has centered on manning and fencing currently unmanned sites, or those without a county employee present to police the sites.

In a memo to supervisors, County Administrator Rebecca S. Carter said making the changes “will add additional cost due to hiring more monitors, having to provide a building for each site, porta johns and electricity.”

Carter said the security system will allow the county to monitor the site from either a computer or mobile device.

“This system will give the county access to the information needed to see if anyone is abusing the use of the sites and/or the security system,” Carter said, adding the pilot program at the Route 56 site will help determine if the site must be manned.

According to County Solid Waste Supervisor Lyn Hill, illegal dumping costs Buckingham $80,000-$150,000 each year. Only county residents and those who pay property taxes in Buckingham — who have dump stickers — are allowed to use the sites.

Carter said if the Route 56 pilot program works, it may eliminate some of the costs to have monitors at other sites.

“So, presently, right now, we’re running the wiring … we should have that up and going perhaps this week,” she said during Monday’s meeting, adding the county wants the public to know the cameras are there. “We’re not out to catch them, we’re just out to monitor and save money. And perhaps if they know it’s there, they will be more careful and respectful of the sites.”

According to Carter’s report, previous cameras have been game cameras and there was no way for the county to identify anyone who vandalized or stole one of them.

“Most of the time, the game cameras did not give good enough visuals for identification for prosecution. We are hoping this pilot program will prove to be beneficial in savings instead of hiring additional waste monitors,” she said.

In her report, Carter also said Hill noted the Gravel Hill site continues to appear to be the most abused site in the county.

“In order to better meet the needs of the public, (the committee has) discussed leaving the Dillwyn site open all day with solid waste monitors there all day,” Carter said in her report. “This position also may be reconsidered if the security system pilot program proves to be beneficial at the Route 56 site. If this pilot program proves to be beneficial due to the public being made aware there is a ‘real’ security camera system installed, perhaps the abusers will not abuse the sites.”

Carter said the committee will present a staged plan to the board regarding management of the county’s solid waste as it considers recommendations pertaining to the financial feasibility of the county purchasing a roll-off truck and construction containers, among other ideas.

During its June meeting, the board considered closing the sites during midday hours. Then, District Four Supervisor Morgan Dunnavant said some local contractors are using household waste bins as construction bins.

According to the county, contractors are required to carry all construction debris and disposal to a landfill or are required to purchase and use a roll-off construction container.