MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

AUGUST 20, 1996

PRESENT: Chair Carsky, Leg. Latimer and

LaMotte

ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Crell, Mr. Tooley, Comm.

Trelowicz, Mr. Hogan, Ms. LeLash,

and Ms. Morgan

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Carsky called the meeting to order at 3:10 P.M. The topic for discussion was composting. Chair Carsky asked for an update and where do we go from here.

Comm. Trelowicz stated that Mr. Hogan would explain where we are at the moment.

Mr. Hogan gave the Committee handouts and explained what transpired at the May 23 meeting. The State decided to distribute the Cornell Plan and make it into a State plan.

In 1988 there were 10 composting sites in Westchester County that produced 30,000 tons a year. Today there are 30 sites and they produce 100,000 tons per year. The County operates with four different types of composting equipment.

Larchmont, Mamaroneck Town and Village and Scarsdale took care of their own by going out to bid. The cost that they received was less expensive for the municipality than at the County Transfer Station disposal.

Municipalities pay on a per-ton basis the same rate as for solid waste disposal, $20.72 for up to 110% and $53 per ton for all tons over 110% of IMA allocation.

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The County dedicates a "hopper" at the Mount Vernon transfer station for municipally collected source separated leaves from New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor and Mount Vernon. The leaves are trucked to commercial, permitted compost sites for processing.

Mr. Tooley stated that the ideal situation would be to put it through a compacting station. It is very beneficial to keep this out of the waste stream at the plant. Handling this in small units around the County if better than in one large facility.

Mr. Crell stated that the forum that they held was to let the municipalities talk and for the Committee to listen. Citing is a critical issue.

Mr. Tooley stated that an abandoned Industrial Site would be an ideal location for this type of operation.

Comm. Trelowicz stated that the Department of Environmental Facilities is sending out a survey to all municipalities to see if they would like to participate and they will share a copy with the Committee as well as the results.

Another issue is grass clippings. This definitely should not be in the waste stream and commercial gardeners leaving clipping at the curb is a big problem.

Chair Carsky asked if there would be a cover letter going out with the survey and the Commissioner said yes.

Chair Carsky also about using the County Parks parking lots in the off season but Mr. Hogan did not think that would be successful and Comm. Trelowicz stated that he had an opinion from the County Attorney that states we cannot use Parks for other than Park purposes.

Leg. Latimer asked Mr. Hogan to clarify that 55,609 still goes to Charles Point and he said yes.

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The question was raised about turning a composting site into a transfer

station. Mr. Crell stated in theory that would be great but it would not be economical.

8 to 10 site throughout the County would be great.

Mr. Tooley stated that privately owned lands need to be used and that Barge sites along the Hudson River to facilities would also be a good idea.

Chair Carsky asked what municipality does the best and Mr. Hogan stated it was the Town of Cortlandt. They have banned grass cuttings and if they do find it at the curb, they leave it there. Chair Carsky was concerned about Yonkers and Mr. Hogan stated that they have a very small site but are very efficient for what they do at that site.

The present County contract goes to 2006 and cannot be changed. We must all pull together and work very hard to ban grass in the mainstream.

Chair Carsky thanked everyone for coming and to keep the committee apprised of what transpires and the results of the survey.

On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Chair Carsky, the minutes of August 13, 1996, were approved 2-0.

Ms. Morgan of FCWC requested coming before the Committee to discuss her resolution that was forwarded to us. Chair Carsky said that she could come on September 3, 1996, at 3:00 P.M.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Chair Carsky, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M.