SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Despite outrage from industry stakeholders, the Sullivan County legislators in their full board meeting on December 19 authorized the increase of tipping fees for trash …
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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Despite outrage from industry stakeholders, the Sullivan County legislators in their full board meeting on December 19 authorized the increase of tipping fees for trash removal companies that bring waste to county transfer stations. .
Village of Monticello Highway and Sanitation Superintendent Jay Sherb urged legislators to reverse the increase. “Even though this is a county problem it’s a Village of Monticello problem,” he said, about the rate of the increase.
“I understand the cost of everything is going up, but you guys are aware that there’s been a 50-percent increase in tipping fees in three years. It was $100 a ton. Then it went to $120; now it’s going to $150 is my understanding, January 1. The village residents are the ones that are going to be paying this cost. And also at the same time, recycling was zero a ton. Now, it’s $110 a ton,” Sherb said.
Legislative chair Nadia Rajsz responded, “We were forced to raise rates because of our rising exportation costs. In the meantime, we are diligently looking at other means of handling our waste.”
“Unfortunately, trash is expensive,” District 5 legislator Cat Scott said, in response to Sherb’s dissatisfaction with the rise in price.
“With rumors and assumptions floating around, it’s important for people to know the reality of our garbage disposal service, which is getting more expensive,” said vice chair Joe Perrello, who chairs the legislature’s public works committee. “We are spreading the cost of the system more fairly across actual users instead of taxpayers, and we intend to enforce our flow-control rules [waste produced in Sullivan County must be disposed in Sullivan County]. Still, this is a burden on everyone, which is why I support seriously looking at a waste-to-energy plant,” he said.
“While no one’s happy with increased rates, we continue to actively work on solutions to address the challenges ahead,” District 1 legislator and majority leader Matt McPhillips said. “We share the concerns of our communities and businesses about rising costs. A more comprehensive solution is needed to secure our future ability to serve the public at a price that is affordable.”
“We were notified of the rate increase at the last minute in December,” said District 4 legislator and minority leader Nick Salomone. “Due to public reaction, I think we need to find a solution next year to take the burden off the homeowner, perhaps using the sales tax surplus. I’d like to make that decision by or before July 1, when the higher rate kicks in.”
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