eastwickpress

submitted by Ann Crisp, Secretary to the Supervisor 

Since the July 21 Public Hearing regarding trash/recycling for the Town of Petersburgh, there seems to be some misconceptions about the three options presented to the taxpayers.

Proposal #1: Remain with the Town of Berlin at an estimated yearly cost of $39,400, to be included as a line item in the budget.

Petersburgh has been paying half of all the expenses of the Berlin Transfer Station, plus an additional $1,000 per month charge, for a total budget figure of $68,400 for 2013-14. Berlin’s actual cost for running the Transfer Station was $112,800 last year. Petersburgh paid Berlin $56,400, half of the actual cost for running the Transfer Station (which would include any future improvements such as repairing or replace dumpsters, paving the road, etc.) plus $12,000 (the additional monthly charge), for a total budget figure of $68,400. Petersburgh’s estimated revenue, which includes the sale of permits, tickets and recyclable items, amounts to about $29,000 per year, resulting in a yearly cost to Petersburgh of $39,400. The Petersburgh Board is in favor of completely eliminating the $1,000 fee, which Berlin has proposed to reduce to $700 per month, which would lower Petersburgh’s yearly cost to $35,800.

2013-14 Petersburgh Budget: $68,400 ($1,000 monthly fee plus $56,400 half of operating cost) – $29,000 (revenue from sale of tickets, permits, recyclables) =  $39,400 yearly cost to taxpayers.

Proposal #2: Establish a Transfer Station for the Town of Petersburgh at the old dump site at an estimated yearly cost of $22,000, to be included as a line item in the budget.

After extensive research of all aspects of this proposal, the estimated initial start up cost would be $30,000 and the estimated cost to operate this facility would be $51,000 per year. After deducting the estimated revenue of $29,000 from sale of permits, tickets and recyclables, the total cost to Petersburgh taxpayers would be $22,000 per year, which would be included as a line item in the budget. The EPA has been contacted and has assured us that they will issue a permit should Petersburgh decide to go this route.

Proposal #3: Trash pickup by County Waste at each household, including hazardous waste, tires and construction waste.

This would cost each household approximately $350 per year, and this amount would appear as a separate line item on each tax bill.

The goal is and has been to reduce taxes for the residents of Petersburgh. The Town Board encourages all Petersburgh residents to indicate their preference of the three Proposals by casting a non-binding ballot at the Town Hall until August 9. The final decision regarding recycling/trash disposal hopefully will be made at the regular Town Board meeting on August 18.