Ulster County legislators were cautiously receptive to a proposal to create a regional solid waste authority to oversee garbage disposal in Greene, Ulster and Sullivan counties.
During a special meeting Tuesday night of the Ulster County Legislature, Robert Sochovka, of the Middletown-based consulting group Cornerstone Engineering and Land Surveying, outlined the findings of a study it conducted to determine the feasibility of the three counties forming a joint solid waste management authority.
“Our recommendation, or what we are saying, is we believe [a regional authority] is a feasible project,” Sochovka said.
He said that, by creating such an authority, the counties could save on transportation costs and negotiate better deals for solid waste disposal. All three counties currently truck the solid waste they collect to the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Waterloo, N.Y., between Syracuse and Rochester, more than three-and-a-half hours by truck from Kingston. That landfill has permitted capacity to operate only until 2025.
“I get a little concerned when I hear talk of ‘buying power’ and ‘tonnage’ because we really need to be focused on diversion,” said Manna Jo Greene, D-Rosendale.
“I don’t want to step into a regionalized model just to get a better rate on [transportation and disposal],” agreed Tracey Bartels, I-Gardiner.
Bartels said she would like a commitment among the three counties to look at disposal alternatives so leaders aren’t lulled into complacency by economic savings.
“I really do not want to see a partnership just to keep doing the same thing,” she said.
Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk said the creation of the three-county authority would be the first step toward finding a new solid waste disposal plan.
“There is a desire to move toward something different,” said Ronk, R-Wallkill. “I don’t know how you choose a next step before getting together.”
“The goal would be a new final disposal option,” he said.
The concerns were similar to those expressed in Sullivan County <http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20180309/sullivan-county-lawmakers-cautious-about-three-county-solid-waste-authority-proposal> , where some lawmakers also wanted more information about potential solutions before creating an authority.
Greene County Legislature Chairman Kevin Lewis, who attended Tuesday’s presentation in Kingston, said legislators in his county also want to see a more sustainable solid waste plan.
He said without a regional authority, Greene County is unable to look at alternatives because the county generates so little solid waste on its own.
To read the full story, visit http://www.dailyfreeman.com/article/DF/20180314/NEWS/180319885.
During a special meeting Tuesday night of the Ulster County Legislature, Robert Sochovka, of the Middletown-based consulting group Cornerstone Engineering and Land Surveying, outlined the findings of a study it conducted to determine the feasibility of the three counties forming a joint solid waste management authority.
“Our recommendation, or what we are saying, is we believe [a regional authority] is a feasible project,” Sochovka said.
He said that, by creating such an authority, the counties could save on transportation costs and negotiate better deals for solid waste disposal. All three counties currently truck the solid waste they collect to the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Waterloo, N.Y., between Syracuse and Rochester, more than three-and-a-half hours by truck from Kingston. That landfill has permitted capacity to operate only until 2025.
Several Ulster County legislators, though, said the “end goal” must be the creation of a sustainable solid waste disposal system and not just saving money on disposal costs.
“I get a little concerned when I hear talk of ‘buying power’ and ‘tonnage’ because we really need to be focused on diversion,” said Manna Jo Greene, D-Rosendale.
“I don’t want to step into a regionalized model just to get a better rate on [transportation and disposal],” agreed Tracey Bartels, I-Gardiner.
Bartels said she would like a commitment among the three counties to look at disposal alternatives so leaders aren’t lulled into complacency by economic savings.
“I really do not want to see a partnership just to keep doing the same thing,” she said.
Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk said the creation of the three-county authority would be the first step toward finding a new solid waste disposal plan.
“There is a desire to move toward something different,” said Ronk, R-Wallkill. “I don’t know how you choose a next step before getting together.”
“The goal would be a new final disposal option,” he said.
The concerns were similar to those expressed in Sullivan County <http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20180309/sullivan-county-lawmakers-cautious-about-three-county-solid-waste-authority-proposal> , where some lawmakers also wanted more information about potential solutions before creating an authority.
Greene County Legislature Chairman Kevin Lewis, who attended Tuesday’s presentation in Kingston, said legislators in his county also want to see a more sustainable solid waste plan.
He said without a regional authority, Greene County is unable to look at alternatives because the county generates so little solid waste on its own.
To read the full story, visit http://www.dailyfreeman.com/article/DF/20180314/NEWS/180319885.