NORWICH – The Chenango County Department of Public Works reported lower than expected recyclable and landfill revenues for the first half of the year.
Even though tonnage is up by 16 percent for recyclables, prices offered are lower than they were in 2008. Revenues after the first half of the year were 46 percent of 2009’s goal.
Landfill tonnage is down by 5 percent for the year so far. DPW Director Randy Gibbon reported that sludge waste from Sheffield’s, the Pharsalia landfill’s biggest customer, is also down.
Gibbon said he expected to meet projections by year’s end, however.
“It fluctuates. We will be OK,” he said, pointing to poor weather and economic conditions as factors in the lower volumes.
Revenues typically exceed projections at year’s end, and recycling surplus is used, in part, to afford bond payments for the three year-old Chenango County Public Safety Facility. About $250,000 was appropriated to the last remaining long term bond for the facility last year. The bond is due to expire in 2012.
Public Works Committee member Peter C. Flanagan, D-Preston, said he looked forward to the day when recycling could use surplus revenues to afford the program’s personnel and fringe benefits. Taxpayers have been paying for the county’s recycling operations through the levy. Flanagan and fellow Public Works members have long advocated for creating a stand alone recycling department that pays for itself.
The committee received a request from Norwich Pharmaceuticals (formerly OSG Pharmaceuticals) asking for a 10 percent tipping fee reduction at the county landfill. The company currently pays a rate of $55 a ton without a contract agreement. A standard, two-year contract offered to all customers would automatically cut the business’ bill by 10 percent, Gibbon said. Members of the committee agreed to suggest such a contract to the North Norwich-based manufacturer.
In highways, the committee agreed to extend $46,000 more on a project for county Rt. 35. The money would be used to remove 1,000 feet of guide rail, dig out debris from the shoulders, pave them and replace the rail.
The county expects to complete 40 miles of road improvements this season.
On the Polkville Road bridge, county Rt. 34, officials are waiting for the New York State Department of Transportation to concur a bid award of $825,000 before work can begin.
The committee discussed recent flood damage in Coventry, Greene, Oxford, Preston, Smyrna, McDonough, and Greene. Gibbon said he expected a $600,000 declaration from the federal and state emergency management organizations with the next two weeks.
Three of the five county highway crews have been repairing washed out roadways exclusively. Gibbon estimated that Chenango County has expended nearly $200,000 on labor and equipment.
Gibbon reported no natural gas activity concerning the county highway department recently.
Supervisor James Bays asked Gibbon to define the county’s policy on industrial driveway permits. The Smyrna supervisor said a company exploring or drilling for natural gas had accessed a service road in Beaver Meadow without sufficient site clearance.
“It’s a windy, steep road. I’ve been on it up there. They built an unnecessary entrance at the top without sufficient site distance,” he said.
Gibbon said individuals and companies are required to obtain a permit for new driveways. However, on existing field drives or driveways – those already created in the past by farmers – the county cannot deny access, he said.
Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers told memers of the natural gas committee on Tuesday that Chenango County “might not be up to speed on this issue.” He pointed to other counties that have imposed more stringent limitations on gas companies’ use of existing roads and driveways.