By Judith Dionne
Staff Writer

The trash disposal situation in the town of Candia is causing a stink for selectmen.

The potential for the town’s trash incinerator to fail inspection in 2008 is a real concern. Replacing the incinerator may cost the town $2.2 million. Also, the rising cost of propane, trash disposal fees, health insurance and labor costs is causing a budget increase for the existing transfer station.

“The town has a solid waste problem,” said Candia Selectman Gary York. “We need to solve it and we have a few options available to us.”

Last year, York made sweeping changes at the town’s dump and began enforcing existing recycling rules to keep costs down. He has also proposed, with the Candia Solid Waste Committee’s help, a transfer station in town.

“The transfer station has the potential to bring income into this town and make the trash business not so costly for us,” said York. “But, the money shouldn’t be our focus, it should be the benefits this (transfer station) can bring to the town.”

York explained how the proposed transfer station would work.

He said a trash disposal company would contract with Candia to use a transfer station facility the town will build. York proposes a 20-year contract. The company would haul trash from their commercial contracts to the facility to be hauled out later.

“The company that contracts with us runs dumpster and curbside pickups for area communities,” said York. “They would haul all their trash here into an awaiting 18-wheeler truck.”

In a sense, the transfer station becomes a clearing house for the management companies’ trash. He explained that after the truck is filled, the trash is hauled away.

York doesn’t want residents to confuse this operation with a landfill.

“It’s to the company’s advantage to haul that truck away on a daily basis,” he said. “If it sits around here, it’s losing money for the company.”

What York hopes to bring to Candia with the proposed transfer station is savings for trash disposal.

He wants to work into a proposed contract reduced- or eliminated-fee trash pickup for area businesses, and free pickup for residents.

“A dumpster service can be very attractive for potential businesses looking at the town,” said York. “Dumpster fees are a considerable expense for businesses. This proposal can help reduce operating costs for them.

“The Candia police, fire department, library and even the CYAA facility can benefit by saving on dumpster fees,” said York.

The cost savings to the town would be considerable as well.

York said the existing transfer station budget line would be eliminated and $400,000 would go back into the budget.

The town would gain a host fee from the company operating at the station, said York.

Depending on the contract Candia obtains, the town would charge a percentage per ton of trash hauled in or a fixed dollar amount per ton.

As an example, York said, if the town contracted at $1 per ton and the company brings in 500 tons per day, five days a week, at 52 weeks per year, the station would generate $130,000 additional income per year.

“That’s great revenue for the town,” said York. “The largest component, however, is that we are securing the disposal of Candia’s solid waste for 20 years.”

The proposed design for the building is a 12,000-square-foot building – a 100-foot by 120-foot structure. It would have two driveways – one for trucks and one for residents.

The proposed site the town is looking at is on the corner of Old Candia Road and Brown Road.

York said this site works well because of its easy-on easy-off access to Route 101.

He said the building would not be obtrusive and sound barriers would be worked into the design.

“The way it will be situated on the lot, it will not be visible to people driving by on the road,” York said. “The opening for the building would face the highway, to cut down on noise. There will also be noise-abatement structures implemented into the building. The DOT and OSHA will look into safety at the facility.”

On his own last week, York said, he went to Auburn where they’ve had a transfer facility for almost five years.

“Waste Management bought Auburn’s facility and the town has received a great tax break from them,” said York.

He said he spoke with Auburn selectmen, who said the tax rate in 1998 before the facility came in was $28.22. The following year it was $19.44. Selectmen said this was directly related to the transfer station.

York also said the facility was “immaculate.” He also spoke with homeowners living near the facility.

“I spoke with a resident on Rattlesnake Hill Road who said she was part of the citizens group that opposed the station,” said York. “She said she was concerned about noise and odor, but there’s none of that.”

York hopes residents will keep an open mind about the facility and read the “Trash Talk” pamphlets that will be mailed out in the coming weeks. He said they will raise awareness of the solid waste problem facing Candia and give solutions. It will have drawings of the proposed transfer station.

“We need to find long-term solutions for the town’s solid waste,” said York. “It’s not going to go away on its own.”

Beside the transfer station proposal, at this year’s Town Meeting there will also be a proposal for curb-side pickup through a private company and a proposal for the transfer station to be erected at the existing transfer station’s site.