Doubts raised about new manager of transfer station

Goshen — Doubts were raised about the record and reputation of the new manager of Goshen’s transfer station. Interstate Waste Services now holds the permit to manage Northern Recycling, the facility on Hartley Road, formerly operated by Waste Management of New York, LLC. After a public hearing last week, Goshen’s town board authorized the transfer of the permit. The board received two letters from residents that were read into the record at the public hearing. Sue Cleaver, a town planning board member, wrote that she was unable to be at the meeting, but is concerned about the facility’s “past history of problems.” She asked the board to keep the hearing open for another two weeks so that she might attend. Holly O’Hern, a member of the watchdog group “Citizens Who Care,” also expressed concern, citing a list of qualifiers the town should consider before approving the transfer. To address the issues raised in O’Hern’s letter, town attorney John Cappello said the application requires the applicant to comply with the conditions of the town’s permit, which the town reissued only three years ago. The town also acquired a list of the applicant’s shareholders, corporate officers, and board of directors, as well as financial statements. In addition, Interstate Waste Services submitted copies of permits for the other facilities they run, as well as letters of reference from other municipalities. Cappello said he spoke on two occasions with Vincent Altieri, the attorney for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Altieri said the agency did background checks on all the officers of Interstate Waste Services, and that it also checked with all of the municipalities in New York and New Jersey where Interstate Waste Services has facilities to confirm its compliance with local permits. Lawrence Shillinger, counsel for Interstate Waste Services, explained that the facility will average 395 tons of refuse per day, but will not exceed a daily maximum of 600 tons per day. Interstate Waste will also not exceed 2,370 tons per week. At this time, Interstate Waste Services has 600 accounts from Waste Management, said Ron Benson, vice-president of environmental compliance. When asked whether his company would be raising its rates, Benson replied that he couldn’t say for sure, but that Interstate Waste Services is mindful of its competition. Deputy Supervisor George Lyons asked if it was possible for the town to receive “tipping fees,” a per-ton payment to the town also known as a “host community benefit.” Council member Ken Newbold recalled that the town used to receive 50 cents per ton from the Al Turi Landfill. Benson said the Village of Chestnut Ridge in New Jersey receives host community benefits from Interstate Waste Services, but because the town’s contract with Waste Management included no such provision, the transfer wouldn’t provide for it either. But, he said, Waste Management Service would be open to discussion on the matter. Village resident Nick Petraglia noted that a host community benefit of $1 per ton would net the town upwards of $100,000 per year. “Why do you think I said it?” Lyons answered. Hearing on stop signs tabled The board tabled a public hearing on a proposed law to install 19 stop signs in the Arcadia Hills subdivision pending further discussion with the highway supervisor and chief of police. In response to a letter from a resident of Arcadia Hills requesting the signs, board members, the highway supervisor, and town police investigated the area to evaluate the liability and safety issues. At the public hearing, Nick Gallo, a resident of the subdivision for 35 years, told the board that the signs were “a waste of taxpayers’ money.” Gallo said most of the intersections are Ts, which require the driver to slow down anyway. Gallo said the town would be wiser to spend tax dollars on increased police presence to enforce the speed limit, especially during early morning hours. He added that Arcadia Hills residents will be safer if police instruct homeowners to remove both the street-side basketball hoops to prevent children from playing in the street, and the “little green man” signs people place in the roads warning drivers to exercise caution. In other business • Council member Phil Canterino reported that Susan Maysels will stepping down as chair of the Joint Recreation Commission, and that the town’s attorney is reviewing the contract for an outside firm to administer on-line bookings for Craigville Park’s facilities. • Council member Ken Newbold reported that there was no meeting for the Goshen Humane Society, and that Supervisor Doug Bloomfield asked him to oversee the opening of the Salesian Park. • Council member Lou Cappella expressed his appreciation to Senator Bill Larkin for a $85,000 state grant to replace a culvert on Coleman Road. • Deputy Supervisor Lyons reported that the police department received three new cars from the Byrne Grant. Lyons also congratulated Sgt. Matt Imperio, Officer James Boyd, and Officer Mike Imperio, who aided in the search and rescue of a missing woman • The board rehired Harry C. Owens as a part-time police officer • The board authorized building inspector Neil Halloran and planning board member Sue Cleaver to attend a class on wetlands identification • The board appointed Isabel Klein to the position of court clerk to Judges Van Haaster and Cione • The board authorized the town clerk to train Susan Maysels as deputy town clerk at an entry level salary for two weeks. • The board released the Glen Pointe subdivision performance bond. More board briefs The town board undertook the following actions and its meeting on Sept. 14: • Recognized high school student Francesca Albanese, who designed the brochure “A Walking Tour of Goshen” as a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award. The supervisor presented a certificate to Albanese in recognition of her dedication and hard work. • Accepted with regret the resignation of Mary Ann Zadra, who will retire effective Oct. 28. • Authorized the solicitation of bids for replacing a water main in Hambletonian Park. • Authorized the transfer of funds in the amount of $10,000 to pay off a bond for a police car. • Accepted the resignation of part-time police officer Harry C. Owens. By law, Owens had to resign effective Sept. 27 because he is retiring from his full-time position. • Hired Daryl Ingrassia as a highway department laborer at a rate of $15.50 per hour.