Trash talk

Commissioners nearing deadline for solid waste disposal decision

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — For a number of months, the Piscataquis County Commissioners have been weighing options for the long-term future of solid waste disposal as after 2018 the contract between the Municipal Review Committee (MRC) and the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC) expires. The over 180 MRC member governments have been deciding to continue with PERC, remaining as an MRC member as part of a new venture to go to a future facility in Hampden operated by the Maryland-based Fiberight or choosing another option.

“We have seven different collection points for municipal solid waste in our counties for the unorganized territories,” Interim County Manager Tom Lizotte said during a June 7 meeting. Lizotte said the county contracts with some towns for the disposal of nearby unorganized territory (UT) residents’ waste, such as those living in Blanchard and Elliotsville getting rid of their trash through Monson and Barnard residents going to Dover-Foxcroft.

Lizotte said with these towns making a choice for post-2018 disposal, the county will likely go along with the decision that has been made by the community. What still is to be decided is where trash from the county transfer stations in Lily Bay and Orneville will go.

Monson Town Manager Lucas Butler said residents there opted to remain with the MRC for Fiberight. “For the average citizen in Monson the minute that bag hits the dumpster, they are thinking ‘it’s not my problem, it’s the town’s problem,’’ he said.

Butler said the MRC “kind of pulled it all together and really came up with a solution that works best for municipalities.” He said the town looked into staying with PERC but company officials did not respond to requests for presentations. Monson has also considered creating its own landfill but this option would have been far too costly.

The town manager said the contracted rate of $70 a ton with rebates was best for Monson. “I feel really strongly they have come up with the best solution to our trash problem,” Butler said, adding he is willing to advocate on behalf of the MRC.

The commissioners expressed some concern because technology being proposed at the Fiberight facility has not been proven in the U.S., just in Europe. “The research is great, but there’s no proof it’s going to work,” Commissioner James White said. He said there are still steps before construction can start, such as the permitting process, and “even if they get over all their hurdles, it still might not work.”

Butler said a facility such as that in the Fiberight project has not been implemented in the U.S. yet, but for Monson the proposal is worth putting faith in.

“That really leaves us with what to do we do with Lily Bay and Orneville?,” Lizotte said.

Commissioners Chair Fred Trask asked Moosehead Rubbish President Sean Bolen, who hauls trash for the county, for his recommendation on Lily Bay and Orneville.

The MRC has set a deadline of June 30 for its members to make a decision on the Fiberight plan, in order to sign a contract with the best incentives. The commissioners are scheduled to discuss and potentially make a decision on post-2018 waste disposal during their June 21 meeting.

In other business, Head of Maintenance David Ronco told the commissioners he will be retiring on June 24 after 18 years with the county.

“I just want to say now Dave will be missed by everyone here in the county,” Lizotte said. “He is just a really good guy who sees these buildings as something he owns and he takes great care of.” Lizotte added that Ronco will always be on the campus shoveling at 6 in the morning following a snowstorm, and he is the first person many visitors see.

Ronco said for the last five years Josh York has worked as his assistant, and he is recommending York succeed him as head of maintenance. “I think he would be a perfect individual to step in,” Ronco said, mentioning all the department heads have nothing but positive things to say about York.

“Josh is doing a good job and he’s very conscientious,” Ronco said. “Again, I cannot recommend anyone more strongly.” Ronco said when he started nearly two decades ago his predecessor told him, “‘I have been waiting for the right man’ and Josh is that right man.’”

“I always appreciate promoting someone from within because they know the layout and they know what to do,” Commissioner Jim Annis said.

A decision on the hiring of York as head of maintenance is scheduled for June 21. In the meantime, the county will advertise for York’s current position.

“I did ask Tom if I could fill in if they needed me,” Ronco said about covering vacation and sick time.

Another county position will also need to be filled as Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Tom Capraro said EMA administrative/probate clerk Brenda Clawson will be departing on June 24 to resume her teaching career.

Clawson had been with the county for about five months as the position was newly created at the start of the year, with Clawson spending approximately four days with the EMA and a fifth day with probate.

In his report, Lizotte said he will be in Augusta for a June 16 session concerning the Atkinson de-organization efforts. He said next week the likely conclusion at the meeting will be that a study on the matter is done. 

“There’s many hurdles to go with that,” Lizotte said.