NORWICH – Chenango County has taken another step toward closing two cells at its countywide landfill, recently awarding a $2.5 million contract to complete the fourth phase of the project.

The County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at its August meeting authorizing the $2,533,500 agreement with Byler Excavating LLC, based in Harpursville.

Byler Excavating submitted the lowest of three responsive bids received for the project. Engineering firm Barton & Loguidice P.C. worked alongside the county's director of public works and the county’s Public Works Committee to draft specifications and solicit bids.

Funding for the contract comes directly from the county’s Solid Waste Management Facility Reserve capital project account.

The agreement with Byler Excavating is the latest move in an ongoing effort to close cells 1 and 2 at the county landfill, located in the town of Pharsalia. The project also includes relocating waste from cells 3 and 4, following strict state environmental guidelines.

In May, Chenango County officials authorized nearly $476,000 in professional engineering agreements for the landfill closure project and to comply with tightening state environmental regulations. At the same time, board members rescinded an August 2024 resolution that had previously directed funds toward the development of cell 6, pivoting those resources toward closure efforts and regulatory compliance.

Under the May resolution, the chairman of the board was authorized to execute three separate agreements with Syracuse-based Barton & Loguidice, including:

- $411,607 for design, permitting, bidding, and construction oversight for the Stage 4 landfill closure project. The scope includes relocating waste from cells 3 and 4, finalizing the closure of cells 1 and 2, and placing intermediate cover over finished slopes to limit leachate generation.

- $46,660 to prepare a preliminary engineering report on leachate pretreatment in response to updated regulations from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation governing landfill runoff.

- $17,500 for general ongoing engineering support across county facilities.

Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey Blanchard said the scale and timeline of the project require specialized outside contractors beyond the capacity of the local Department of Public Works, necessitating expenditures from county reserves.

Blanchard noted that local highway resources are directed toward road work, which would fall behind schedule if coupled with the landfill project. Landfill closures demand specialized equipment, technical expertise, and time that county staff cannot provide alone, he said.