12/14/2011 UPPER CAPE REGIONAL TRANSFER STATION BOARD OF MANAGERS Minutes

Home Browse Search

Inter-Municipal Agreement Chairman Elliott invited representatives from the four member communities to introduce themselves,as well as members of the audience, found listed on an attached document. Mashpee Town CounselPat Costello was invited to lead the meeting. Mr. Costello indicated that the meeting had been proposed in order to take a closer look at the UCRTS in its current state and its intent to provide a viable solid waste disposal alternativefor its member communities. Mr. Costello suggested that the fiscal soundness and efficiency of the operation had changed and could be due to changes in market conditions,requiring a closer look to determine the direction of the facility. Mr. Costello added that there had been Cape-wide discussion regarding the future of waste disposal and questioned whether the UCRTS could still serve a purpose for the member communities. Mr, Costello referenced proposed amendments to the IMA but suggested that each community member review the document, ensuring that each community's waste disposal services were adequately addressed. Mr. Costello added that the public entity was created to serve a public purpose but was not intended to create a burden to members should the volume of waste not be met and recommended consideration of remedies to ensure the acquisition of an adequate volume of waste. Mr. Tilton of Sandwich recognized the regional benefits of the Transfer Station as an effort to reduce traffic on the roads and to provide waste disposalthrough its previous agreement. However, Mr. Tilton noted that it was no longer regional and that changing regulations in each town has resulted in their own needs and also limits control over compliance of the private haulers. The IMA may not be a monetary benefit for Sandwich. Mr. Tilton expressed concern regarding the lack of control within the agreement when towns establish regulations that affect the UCRTS's ability to meet its tonnage goals. Mr. D, Barrett of Bourne noted their ability to manage their own solid waste, adding that recent volume reductions at the UCRTS had created a financial burden for the town, Suggesting that it was an opportunity to consider whetherthey could assist in any way,Mr. D. Barrett noted that Bourne operated in the commercial market place with their solid waste handling facility as well as their own transfer station. Mr. D. Barrett referenced the possibility of Bourne being considered for a recycling program in an effort to consolidate the operation. Mr. D. Barrett stated that each town addressed recycling in a different way and suggested the possibility that member communities could assess the capacity of the UCRTS and develop a single stream or double stream recycling program for the entire Cape. Mr. D. Barrett also recommended consideration of the use of rail and of trucks. Mr. D. Barrett stated that Bourne would be releasing three RFPs for alternative waste technologies at the Bourne facility. Mr. D. Barrett also stated that Bourne wished to maintain the relationship through the IMA but only if it continued to benefit the region. Chairman Elliott indicated that flow control had been studied by the Board, noting that the law had been changed. The Board signed a 40,000 ton waste contract through 2014 with the rail. The Chair reported that the UCRTS would be very close to meeting the required tonnage in 2011 due to Covanta's rate cut. The Chair expressed concern regarding the lack of enforcement of the contract by some of the towns, adding that the required tonnage would be met if the contract was enforced with the haulers.Ray Jack, Falmouth Director of Public Works, stated that the UCRTS operated the same way as when it was founded during the 1980s. Mr. Jack stated that regulations had since changed and noted the possibility of restructuring the UCRTS in order to make the facility more cost effective and to offer a better regional benefit. Mr. Jack noted that 2