Landfill board approves baler, sets clean up days

The Upper Platte Valley Solid Waste Disposal District (landfill board) approved a new baler be purchased for the landfill, and will get 10 acres mowed so the area can be ready for waste to come.

It was announced at the meeting on April 24 the first and third grade classes from Saratoga Elementary will tour the landfill and see the recycling area so students can get an idea how plastics and paper are separated.

May 6 and 7 were designated as clean up days for Saratoga and the board recommended the waste from Encampment be transported after these dates.

Clean up days are days when non-commercial customers may bring old appliances, junk cars and the like to the town dump for no charge.

The board then discussed the most efficient way to get the pilot program going with the new facilities.

Randy Raymer, the chairman of the board, said, “This is like changing houses; we need to mow the brush on the 10 acres, establish the burn pile and get down to the soil; move the soil container and the balers. All those things need to happen in the next four months.”

A culvert and off ramp by the scales to make it easier for semis and a road to the construction/demolition pits, need to be done also. Proposals from different contractors will be evaluated for these jobs, but the board wants this to occur in a timely manner given the four month window.

The 10x10’ burn pile will be addressed later after reviewing the burn permits.

Excel Manufacturing and InterWest Pro Baler both offered balers the board considered to purchase. Craig Kopasz, of Engineering Associates, said Excel Manufacturing’s baler had outstanding reviews for the machine, but the company did not have good evaluations from purchasers concerning customer care. InterWest’s baler had outstanding praise from customers on machine and customer service, said Kopasz.

Customer service was key to the decision for the board as they chose to buy the InterWest Pro Baler for $70,775.

The board is still considering sending waste to Hanna’s landfill, but more information is needed before any action can take place, Raymer said.

The transfer station contract review is going forward and Raymer said he wanted to establish the budget before discussing rates. He looked at shipping 50 tons of waste 200 miles, twice a week for a year. Including trucking costs and tipping fees the total came to $250,000 more than the present operation.

Rates will have to be adjusted for bigger users and penalties put forth for companies that don’t pull recyclables so tipping fees are not out of control, said Raymer.

“We have to establish all expenses so we can see revenues, before we establish rates,” explained Raymer.

Kopasz pointed out loads of clean concrete versus mixed loads of concrete could be priced at different rates because that material can be used to cap the pits.

“You either sort at the site or you pay a premium at the landfill,” agreed Raymer.

Solid Waste Professionals of Wyoming were contracted for the landfill closure permit.

The board approved Richard Raymer to mow the 10 acres. After the brush is cleared the board wants to meet at the landfill property to survey what should go where.

The next landfill board meeting is 7 p.m. May 3, at the Encampment library.