APPROVED

Council Members Present: Mayor Mary Hogan, Deputy Mayor Timothy Curtis, Council Member Council Member Paul Broxterman, Council Member John Haverstock, Council Member Jim Pacino, Council Member Jim Ristas, Council Member Al Simon.

Mayor Mary Hogan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. She provided an overview of the meeting agenda, which would focus on the town run bulky waste scenario. Staff would outline several points of clarification and present the option of the town operated facility, followed by questions and answers by the Council members and then the general public.

The staff presentation was opened by Town Manager Leon Churchill. Mr. Churchill introduced Dr. Charles Petrillo, Health Director, who provided a synopsis of past environmental cleanup activities on ABB owned property, pointing out that the former Knowles Plant was not located on any portion of the 90 acres the town was considering purchasing. Dr. Petrillo introduced Mr. Dave Hurley, of Fuss & O'Neil, who explained how the groundwater flowed on and around the landfill site. Town Assessor Steve Kosofsky spoke to the issue of property values in the area of the landfill. Town Manager Churchill then clarified a number of previous questions regarding elevation of landfill and the number of households with curbside trash collection (7,000 estimated). Mr. Churchill also stated that both the Plan of Development and the 1982 Northwest Park master plan indicated the potential for vertical expansion of the landfill, as well as possible reuses of the land after landfill operations ceased.

Landfill Manager Irv Slike presented the option of the town run bulky waste landfill. Primary assumptions included: a vertical expansion, no vertical expansion, and the construction of a municipal solid waste transfer station at the landfill. Town Engineer Tom Lenehan explained projected traffic impacts associated with the town run operation. Budget Analyst Julian Freund reviewed the financial aspects of the town running a bulky waste operation. Mr. Freund explained that to meet closure and post closure obligations the town would have to run the landfill until year 2018. The cost for residential curbside collection would also likely increase upwards to $100 per year due to the increased disposal and transportation costs.

Town Council Questions

Council members asked a number of questions relative to traffic projections, groundwater, operation of transfer station, visibility, processing of bulky waste, and setting of fees. Staff was asked to provide additional information concerning the following questions or topics:

• analysis of town run operation using the same horizontal and vertical expansion options as CRRA proposal.

• does CRRA propose to run the bulky waste operation as a subscription or contract landfill

• estimated capacity at other bulky waste facilities in Connecticut

• outline process for updating Plan of Development

• is CRRA subject to Freedom of Information Act

Public Comment and Questions

Mayor Hogan then invited members of the public to ask questions of staff regarding the option of the town operating a bulky waste landfill.

Norman Smith, 144 Fieldstone Drive, asked a question relative to the regulatory impact of having an open bulky waste landfill versus a closed municipal solid waste facility.

George Yeramian, 739 Prospect Hill Road, stated the town should not lease the facility to CRRA. Potential environmental liability already exists since the MSW landfill has been in operation for nearly 30 years. He would prefer the option of the town running a bulky waste landfill. He stated concerns relative to the quality of well water in the area, and asked if the Town of Windsor would be willing to test the quality of his well water? Dr. Petrillo stated the town would be able to test well water and residents could contact the Town of Windsor Health Department if interested.

Debbie Smith, 144 Fieldstone Drive, stated that closure costs could increase even more of regulatory rules change over time. She also stated that she feels property values in the area have already been negatively impacted.

Nancy Mieczkowski, 115 Hilltop Road, raised a number of concerns regarding environmental impact, including air pollution and poor air quality. She stated that bulky waste operations would contribute to poor air quality. Also the Town's image will be negatively impacted if the landfill is expanded. She asked how the town's health department was going to monitor and protect the environment if the landfill is expanded?

Joe Spalluto, 456 Lantern Way, voiced concerns that if the landfill remains open and expanded there will be pressure in the future to accept sludge and ash. He also urged the transfer station and recycling operations be moved further away from the residential properties.

Dave Beck, 26 Olin Street, asked who initiated the agreement between Windsor and the Town of Bloomfield? He stated that entire landfill topic has been a very tough issue over the years and that it must now be dealt with.

Darlene Klase, 79 West Street, asked if staff could explain the difference between a closed bulky waste processing facility and an open air processing facility. She asked for clarification of how the bulky waste would be placed and shaped on top of the existing landfill. Ms. Klase also raised questions concerning the proposed hours of operation and expressed concerns regarding tuck traffic impact on the surrounding street network.

Steve Hawco, 433 Lantern Way, asked if the town could control or regulate what types of bulky waste are accepted? Dr. Petrillo stated the town would be able to regulate the type of material through contract agreements.

Lisa Weiss, 440 Lantern Way, asked if staff had examined other options or ways the landfill could be put to productive use.

Steve Hawes, 444 Lantern Way, expressed concerns with traffic impact and the analysis used by the staff to project future truck traffic.

Melissa Klaus, 511, Hearthstone, raised questions as to the ability of the town to properly check or evaluate each load of bulky waste.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10pm

- Synopsis prepared by Peter Souza, Town of Windsor