Published: October 09, 2008 10:06 am      

Landfill pros and cons to be discussed

Staff Report

The League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will sponsor a panel discussion on the pros and cons of siting a landfill in Otsego County.

This topic will be only one that county residents will be facing when the Otsego County Board of Representatives deliberates over our options for solid waste management.

Residents of the county are welcome and league members encourage them to attend the discussion at 7:30 on Thurs., Oct.16 in the village meeting room in Cooperstown, below the village library at 22 Main St. Use the side entrance.

``Having lobbied against the initial formation of MOSA,’’ explains Ellen Tillapaugh, LWV President, ``we are eager to look at future options.’’

According to organizers, Susan McIntyre, Solid Waste Manager for Delaware County and Bob Griffin, employed by Browning Ferris Industries, and Transfer Station operator in Schenectady, will serve on the panel. In addition to a county landfill, Delaware County also has a compost facility, and Schenectady transports its waste by rail.

Terry Bliss, Otsego County Planning Director will provide background on past Otsego County waste management efforts and also speak to the current initiative by the county board.

Otsego CountyÆs Board of Representatives has recently contracted with Gerhardt LLC of New Hartwick to provide short and longterm options for solid waste management. The plan is expected to be complete and delivered to the board in the beginning of October 2009.

League members have positions on solid waste management in place at the local, state and national levels of the League of Women Voters.

``Our local position focuses on our support for reduction of the solid waste stream by recycling and reuse, and would not enable us to address other local solid waste issues once the Montgomery, Otsego and Schoharie collaboration ends in 2014,’’ Tillapaugh said.

``Our members were in the forefront of recycling before MOSA was a glimmer in Otsego CountyÆs eye,’’ added Martha Clarvoe, MOSA board member and League member.

``Members volunteered to crush glass at the railroad station, and held the first magazine and junk mail collection, as well as a tire collection.’’