Waste savings options limited

PARISHVILLE — The cost of subsidizing garbage collection for town residents has officials looking for an alternative, but options for paring back the $90,000 annual expense appear to be limited.

The town operates a transfer station on Rutman Road, where residents bring trash and recyclables, which are later picked up by Casella Waste Systems.

Recyclables are pulled out of the waste stream by the company and resold if possible, and the raw garbage is trucked to the regional landfill in Rodman.

The town charges residents $1 per bag to drop off garbage, and there is no charge for recyclables.

While the transfer station is a convenient way for residents to dispose of waste and debris, town officials say the cost of providing the service is growing.

Councilwoman Keri E. Tremper said Casella's base fee for hauling non-recyclable garbage from the transfer station has grown to $64 per ton from $51 per ton as recently as 2007.

"That's a lot of money. That's why we are trying to keep our eye on it and look at other options," Ms. Tremper said.

The town also pays Casella $107 per trip, disposal fees for recyclables and a fluctuating fuel service charge, according to officials.

Town Supervisor Jerry G. Moore said the municipality spent roughly $90,000 last year operating the transfer station and approximately $7,000 in hauling fees during the last month alone.

Chester W. Bisnett Jr., a representative of Casella, said he is willing to talk with the town board about the cost of collecting waste, but he said the fees the municipality is being charged are rock bottom.

He said one of his company's largest costs is related directly to the distance between Parishville and the landfill, nearly 100 miles away.

Mr. Bisnett said he believes Casella has been more than fair to the town of Parishville over the years, in part because his company operates a major transfer station on West Parishville Road.

"We have always treated the town of Parishville well. We've given them a bit of a host fee type of agreement because we are here, we're taxpayers, we're part of the community and we want to be welcomed here," Mr. Bisnett said.