Citizens defend County recycling
By Donna Comella  

Should the county's recycling program be privatized? No one has an answer yet, but legislators are researching the matter.

When Wayne County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, included on the agenda was a resolution that the Fiscal Analysis Team (FAT) had recommended. The Board was about to authorize a Request For Proposals (RFP) when several citizens asked to speak. Although Chairman Marvin Decker did not have to allow it, seven area residents came to the defense of the current program.

Recycling in the county is provided by the Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority, which is headed up by County Planning Director Sharon Lilla. The program has come under scrutiny the past year and criticism that it costs over $1 million a year to taxpayers.

Last year, Supervisor Bill Hammond (Macedon) had suggested an RFP after talking with a representative of Casella Waste Systems. Supervisors admonished Hammond for suggesting the proposal without sending it through the proper committees. The matter resurfaced this year, when the county's FAT suggested the same, and encouraged the board to move 'swiftly.'

Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the county, Casella recently approached the Town Boards of Lyons and Galen, wanting to re-open their landfill for construction and demolition debris. For the time being, those discussions have ceased.

Tuesday, Steve Montemorano, Michelle Fabrizio, Chris Montemorano, all of Galen, each stood to ask that supervisors leave the present system in place. All were concerned with what the actual costs would eventually be, and that some of the county's recyclables would end up in a landfill. Fabrizio had several questions that went unanswered.

Nan Hannah-Paquin of Sodus Point, and others, told supervisors that there 'appears to be preferential treatment to one certain company.' Paquin said that she had heard and seen written attacks on Lilla that were unwarranted. She said, '(This) is a long-standing program that serves the public (for) three dollars per household per month.'

Nancy Kasper of Huron said, 'The program works... It is a proven, valuable asset.' She called paying Casella to run the program a 'dubious alternative.'

Soon, Jim Hurley, a member of the FAT, stood to take exception with some of the residents' comments. He announced that there is 'no collusion' and that he was offended by the implication of any, calling it 'atrocious.'

'We don't care if Casella gets it, or if Joe Blow gets it...we have no prejudice,' said Hurley.

In response to Hannah-Paquin's remarks, Hurley had accolades for Lilla. Several citizens were disruptive and interrupted Hurley as he spoke.

Sue Epstein of Sodus lives near the Material Recoveries Facility (MeRF) on Route 88 and called the MeRF a 'good neighbor.' Epstein told supervisors, 'This is an outstanding program. Yes, it costs money, but we are willing to pay for it.' She cautioned the board that they may save money, but the quality of service may suffer.

After citizens had their say, supervisors began their own debate. A brief exchange between Hammond and Jim Fabino (Lyons) became heated as Carm Pascarella (Rose) spoke. Pascarella, a former school teacher, threatened the two with having to stay after school.

Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto said that the Blue Boxes that line the streets 'speak for themselves' to the success and participation of and in the current program.

After Pascarella, DeSanto and Leo Jenkins (Galen) said that they would vote against the RFP, other supervisors said that they felt they at least needed to research and get some facts and figures from private companies.

After the vote, the resolution was declared 'Defeated.' But as satisfied citizens filed out of the Supervisors' Chambers, another tabulation found that the resolution had indeed passed. Each supervisor holds a weighted vote that reflects his or her town's population. In a simple majority vote, 2113 votes are needed. The final tally, 2261 - 1964.

The six who voted against: Jenkins, Fabino, Joe Molino (Ontario), Pascarella, Jim Hoffman (Williamson), and DeSanto.

The 11 who voted for the RFP: Chuck Frederick (Huron), Hammond, Jody Bender (Marion), Dave Lyon (Palmyra), Don Colvin (Savannah), Donna Chittenden (Sodus), Frank Guelli (Walworth), Chairman Decker (Wolcott), and Dave Spickerman (Butler).

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