Moccia: Pursue the ‘next best alternative’ for solid waste


Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008

ROBERT KOCH - The Hour

 

 

 

Moccia: Pursue the ‘next best alternative’ for solid waste
By ROBERT KOCH  Hour Staff Writer  6/27/08

Under his recommendation, the city would hire City Carting & Recycling Inc. but only use the Crescent Street transfer station, rather than the Crescent Street and Meadow Street facilities, as in the original proposal.

“As chief elected official of the city of Norwalk, it is ultimately my responsibility to ensure that the city has in place a means of responsibly disposing of its solid waste prior to the expiration of the current contract,
a means that can be confidently implemented in the time remaining,” Moccia said. “I have asked the director of public works to develop immediately the next best alternative, and to propose it to the Public Works Committee of the Common Council, so that it may be forwarded for full Council consideration at the earliest opportunity.”

Harold F. Alvord, director of public works, said city officials met with City Carting representatives Thursday morning and negotiated a new terms sheet reflecting use of the Crescent Street transfer station only. The Public Works
Committee will consider the new proposal Tuesday night, he said.

William M. Krummel, committee chairman, meanwhile, has  requested that a public hearing on the original trash-hauling proposal be held at Meadow Gardens. Krummel said he
would support using the Meadow Street location, already a transfer station, but only “with all the safeguards we can summon.”

Moccia said the original proposal would have saved the city $1 million annually “and significantly expanded
recycling and related revenue, and improved efficiency
and safety in several areas.” At the same time, the mayor acknowledged residents’ opposition its inclusion of the Meadow Street facility.

“After several presentations and public meetings / hearings, followed by indefinite tabling at (Tuesday) evening’s meeting of the Common Council, it is uncertain that the proposed plan can or will be approved in  sufficient time to ensure its execution by year’s end,”
Moccia continued. The city’s current contract with Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority will expire Dec.
31. City officials have labeled the contract a
money loser for the city to the tune of $2.1 million
annually.

Starting July 1, tipping fees charged at the Crescent Street transfer station will rise from $81 to $98.50 per ton, according to Alvord.

Paul Nonnenmacher, CRRA spokesman, said Norwalk and other towns in the contract “played a very active role in the setting of our budget and our tipping fees.” The higher fees are needed to cover costs associated with the closing of the Shelton and Waterbury landfills, and environmental
monitoring after the closings, he said.



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