County OKs short-term recycling program bailout

By Jeff Greenburg
Sharon Herald Political Writer
January 16, 2007

MERCER COUNTY— Mercer County commissioners are willing to lend some financial support to keep the Solid Waste Authority’s recycling program running this year.
But they aren’t willing to keep the program running as it is.
Information from Nestor Resources Inc., of Valencia, Pa., provided to commissioners Tuesday during an emergency meeting of the authority, revealed the program generates about $87,000 annually. Costs, however, range from about $345,000 to $387,000 depending on where the authority ultimately transfers materials, leaving a deficit of at least $250,000.
Commissioner Brian Beader said the county might be willing to kick in up to $100,000 this year to keep the program going until decisions are made regarding what direction it will go. But he wouldn’t agree to spend a quarter-million dollars.
“We want to be able to provide the service,” Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor added. “However, we have to be fiscally responsible.”
Ms. Lazor said two things are painfully obvious: The current system isn’t working and it’s time to explore what’s out there with private haulers.
Authority members, who have been looking for some time at options to continue the recycling program, agreed. On Tuesday, members took a couple steps in hopes of assuring that future.
Contingent on approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the authority agreed to shut down and try to sell the consolidation center in Jackson Center.
“That center is not cost-effective and it’s been a monkey on our back,” authority chairman Fred Brenner said.
A $400,000 loan that helped to build the center is on the books and Brenner would like to use any sale proceeds to help pay off the loan.
Authority members also agreed to seek a DEP grant that could be used to buy new equipment for the county’s nine collection depots in order to phase in a new front-loading system at the sites from the more restrictive side-loading system that’s in place.
Although no action was taken, officials also discussed the possibility of reducing the number of depots and privatizing collection.
The authority contracts with Mercer County Regional Council of Governments for drivers to pick up recyclables.
Separate from financial problems clouding the program’s future, the authority declared an emergency because the facility in Meadville that accepts the county’s recyclables is closing Friday, allowing items to temporarily be hauled to Tri-County Industries’ facility in Pine and Liberty townships.