By: Jennifer Britt
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Solid Waste Authority voted to lock in an interest rate for a new CAT XK30 Compactor. The compactor will be $1.2 million in total cost with monthly payment of $14,700 for the next eight years. The new compactor is part of the landfill’s long-term plan to replace the older model they currently own.
The TCSWA recently paid off a loan to the Solid Waste Management Board and is essentially swapping loans for the new compactor. The resolution signed by the authority’s Chairman Mark Holstine will lock current interest rates for the compactor even though the new machine will not be completely assembled or seen until sometime in January or February. The new loan payments will begin when the landfill receives the equipment.
The loan for the compactor is a government contract so bidding was bypassed and the price for the equipment was guaranteed to be the lowest possible price. There will be one contract signed with CAT to reserve the compactor and one with the loan agency. The maintenance needed for the machine will be conducted in house by the full-time mechanic on staff.
For April 2022, the total tonnage of solid waste received was down to 5,612.33 tons from 6259.94 tons in April of 2021. The total was also down 286.91 tons from March of 2022.
Total gallons of leachate removed was down from previous year as well. In April of 2022 there were 561,440 gallons removed compared to 776,615 gallons in April of 2021. With an average of 6,276.27 gallons going to Moorefield, the total cost for 44 loads is $6,903.90. There were 45 loads going to Westernport, Md. for an average of 6,308.31 gallons per load for a total cost of $7,132.10. Combined there is a total cost of $14,036. to treat 440 gallons of leachate at $.25 cents per gallon.
Thomas is still accepting leachate from the landfill as well. Thomas accepts 4,000 gallons of leachate per day. The water treatment plant has had no excursions on their end, and everything right now is working well.
Holstine reported that fuel cost will continue to be the authority’s biggest issue. With $43,670.26 spent on fuel this month alone there will be a quarter of a million-dollar amount not budgeted. Jody Alderman and CPA Mark Joseph will continue to work together to find solutions for the fuel cost rising. The authority is also waiting to hear back from the Public Service Commission,in Charleston, about a recommendation for a fuel surcharge fee.
Holstine praised the echo-mister for pond two at the landfill. The pond is at an all time low and continues to lower about an inch a day. This is the lowest the pond has been in the past three years. With the pond being lower that means less trips to remove the leachate.
Deborah Stiles said, “This is hard work to do, and it is work that a lot of people forget about. Recently I did research on illegal world dumping in another municipality and it is a big challenge on how to retrain people and you are dealing with making sure that you (the TCSWA) function in a financially responsible manner.”
The next open to the public TCSWA meeting will be held on July 26, 2022, at 3 p.m. at the TCSWA Office in Davis.