By Judith Dionne
Staff Writer

A group of residents faced Candia selectmen with many questions on Monday, Feb. 7, at a bond hearing for a proposed $3 million trash transfer station.

A brief discussion by selectmen followed the reading of warrant article, explaining that this year’s proposal differs little from the 2004 proposal, except for the location and the proposed amount.

Before opening the floor to questions, selectmen Chairman Clark Thyng explained the purpose of the bond hearing.

“We’re here tonight to discuss the merits of the bond for the proposed transfer station, and not the merits of the project,” said Thyng.

However, residents wanted answers on the merits of the project that is proposed for Brown Road, a residential street.

Selectman Gary York gave details on the project, explaining that the proposed bond is to build the transfer station that a trash company will lease from Candia.

He said this as-yet undetermined company would be responsible for the bond payments, not the town. Candia will be protected if the company should default because the company will be required to have a surety bond on the contract.

Resident Russ Dann questioned York about the wording of the article regarding the contract, asking if the town will have to pay up front to build the transfer station before a company is signed on to lease the building.

“Not one dollar of taxpayers’ money will be put out until a surety bond is put into place by a contract with a private entity to lease the building,” said York.

Dann said the warrant article should be specific and say that a contract will be in place before a bond is pulled.

Who will run the station?
Residents asked why no one has been named as a potential lease holder.

York said they sent out 14 or 15 packets to potential companies and received four back. He added after being questioned that BFI, Casella-Atlantic North, Waste Management and Pinard Waste Systems who expressed interest.

Next, residents volleyed questioned about the merits of owning the station or selling it.

York assured them the own/lease scenario is best for the town.

“We will hold the ownership permit of the building and maintain control over the size of the operation,” said York. “They (the lessors) will not be able to change a thing unless the town votes on it.”

Why it’s back Resident Brian Beauchamp questioned why the transfer station issue is back after being voted down at last year’s Town Meeting.

Thyng said the consensus at Town Meeting last year was that people supported the transfer station, but not all aspects of last year’s proposal.

York added they moved the location to Brown Road because the majority at Town Meeting last year said the proposed location in town is too far from the highway.

“Many said it should be moved closer to the exit (Exit 3) on Route 101 to eliminate increased truck traffic,” said York. “Brown Road’s location made it a suitable site.”

“There’s even more resistance to Brown Road,” said Beauchamp. “Why do you keep on pointing at Brown Road?”

“People were dissatisfied with last year’s site,” said Thyng. “We needed to find a new one.”

Resident Ingrid Byrd said the selectmen misjudged people at last year’s meeting. She said she felt more people disagreed with the size of the project, not necessarily the location.

“I don’t want to see Candia become the landlord to a business,” said Byrd. “I don’t care how gussied-up you make this look, it’s a stinky, messy business we don’t need to be landlords to.”

Byrd added that Candia is a small town which prides itself on being scenic. Alot of people are not happy with the idea of this type of facility.

“Look at this proposal as an innovative approach to help the taxpayers,” said York. “Twenty years ago, the solid waste budget was $40,000. For 2005 we’ve proposed a $411,000 budget.”

The budget will continue to increase, added York. This proposal will not only save on the operating expenses at the existing transfer station, but will give significant tax savings to the town.

“This proposal is a savings for the bottom line on your tax bill,” said York.

“This bond hearing is nothing without a contract (for the transfer station),” said Byrd. “This is just a sales pitch until it’s part of a contract.”

Many more residents questioned selectmen about the size of the operation, touching on Byrd’s comment that they misread the consensus at last year’s meeting.

Ann Tierno asked about the number of trucks that are anticipated with a 500-ton-per-day transfer station.

Eric Reitter from CMA Engineering, the firm who made the conceptual drawings of the proposed project, said there would be roughly 70 haulers a day and 20 large 100-yard container trucks.

Others questioned the potential for noise, and Reitter said the doors for the trucks to enter the facility will face the highway. He also said there will be berms to camouflage it and cut down noise.

“But will my neighbors, who live about three tenths of a mile from the station, hear the truck noise?” said Tierno.

Reitter said he couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t hear the operation. Byrd wanted to know why the transfer station warrant article is the only option available to vote on at the meeting.

York said the article could be amended on the floor, explaining that as long as the spirit of the article is kept, voters could amend it as they see fit.

“If voters want to amend it for a Candia-only transfer station or amend it for curbside pick up they can,” said York. “I want to let the citizens choose how to deal with the future waste.”