BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- County transfer stations are experiencing a shortage of trailers to haul waste to the Development Authority of the North Country's (DANC) landfill in Rodman, leading to extensive buildup at county locations. 

Legislators say they are now purchasing five additional trailers to remove the waste, however various issues persist within the department. 

In response, legislators approved an administrative split from the Highway Department April 27. 

St. Lawrence County Legislative Chairman David Forsythe said the change is aimed at addressing problems with equipment and function at the stations which have drawn complaints. In recent weeks the county was so short on hauling trailers that trash was being dumped directly into the bays. He also said there has been trouble with equipment used to pack down the containers.

The measure passed unanimously during the April 27 Finance Committee meeting, during which time County Administrator Ruth Doyle detailed plans to separate the two departments. 

Doyle said legislators on the board in 1996 passed a measure to create a separate Solid Waste Department, ridding the county of the Solid Waste Disposal Authority. 

Solid Waste Director Ellen Hooker addressed those concerns, saying many of those issues are being addressed at the moment. 

One issue that was raised by legislators recently were the material handlers that were experiencing mechanical issues. 

Hooker said those pieces of equipment do not have replacement parts that are readily available. 

"The equipment onsite that moves solid waste, called the Builtrite, are prototypes and do not have replaceable parts readily available.  The County has been evaluating other options for equipment and design of the tip floors to compact solid waste & c&d (construction debris) into the trailers to prevent damage to the trailers," Hooker said. 

Hooker said the aging fleet of trailers has also posed a problem. 

The fleet itself dates to 1993, with eight functioning trailers in operation and two out for repairs. 

Hooker said a bid to purchase new trailers has been issued with a return date later this month. 

"The staff at Solid Waste have been diligently working to keep waste moving out and minimize the amount of waste on the tip floors," she said. 

Replacement equipment and maintenance was also deferred by the county for a number of years, something that has exacerbated conditions. 

Hooker said replacement equipment has been purchased steadily over the last decade after a long period of deferred maintenance. 

Though the transfer stations have been in operation for over 30 years, much of the equipment that was originally installed is still in use. 

Hooker said there is a clear need to evaluate the transfer stations. 

While Solid Waste operates the four locations in Gouverneur, Massena, Ogdensburg and Star Lake, three closed landfills also fall to their responsibility as well. 

Costs to maintain those three sites continue to rise as the sites are closely monitored and regulated by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

"It is important to consider replacement equipment that achieves the goals of being cost-effective, productive, and safe for employees and customers. With new NYS DEC waste regulations coming in the future, replacement equipment will be needed to meet the new standards.  The Solid Waste Committee has been discussing options for a capital plan that includes updates to the facilities, along with new transfer station equipment, trucks, and trailers," Hooker said. 

To help facilitate better oversight and planning, legislators recently approved an administrative split from the County Highway Department. 

Legislators said the move would create a standalone department that could operate autonomously, allowing an administrator to better oversee day-to-day operations while also allowing for better long-term planning. 

Hooker said the split will include the addition of a senior level director to oversee operations, though the department will still function as an enterprise fund. 

An enterprise fund is ultimately funded by the fees charged to end users. 

Hooker said the structure is self-supporting and designed to be primarily funded through user fees, not taxes. 

Hooker said the new administrative plan will allow the Highway Superintendent to focus on the Highway Department. 

"The Department of Highways and Solid Waste have operated as two separate departments with separate budgets. The Superintendent acted as the Director of Solid Waste with a deputy type role reporting to him who would oversee daily operations at Solid Waste. That is the most significant change," Hooker said. 

She said with 579 miles of road to maintain, along with approximately 190 bridges, legislators would prefer the new Highway Superintendent to focus on that area of work. 

"The Board of Legislators would like for the next Superintendent to focus on that area of work. The Director of Solid Waste will oversee the capital investment and long term planning for the Department. It is a perfect time to split the administrative functions and allow Solid Waste to operate entirely on its own going forward," Hooker said.