Transfer Station Committee Cuts 30 Percent From Landfill Project

A special Board of Health subcommittee has cut about 30 percent from the original $22 million cost projections for a new trash transfer station and landfill capping project, the chairman of the subcommittee told the Board of Health Tuesday night.

And he hopes the subcommittee and its consulting engineers can cut another 6 to 8 percent out of the total cost.

“Although 30 percent is a significant reduction, we would like to see more,” said Matthew Herring, chairman of the building oversight subcommittee. He said the subcommittee has challenged the two engineering firms working on the project to find additional savings. “We don't think we have gotten out of this everything we could.”

He predicted the total cost savings might reach 36 percent. "We will not get to 50 percent," he said.

The trash transfer station and landfill capping project was approved last year at $22 million during last year's Town Meeting. But in a pro-austerity mood, the voters by a margin of almost 2,000The Board of Health of local residents with building experience to redesign the station in hopes of getting a more affordable project approved this year.

The transfer station building subcommittee is facing a deadline to redesign the project in time to present it for a new vote at the Town Meeting in May. The health board has not accepted the subcommittee's recommendations, although the board members seemed pleased with the proposed cut in total costs. 

The re-design must also be approved by the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen before it is presented at Town Meeting.

“It is very tedious work. It is a very complex project with lots of moving parts,” Herring said, holding a thick binder of information on the project.

The subcommittee, he said, believes there is more costs to wring out of the project in the estimated concrete and steel expense and there may be better and cheaper ways to build some of the features.

Health Director Wayne Attridge said the cost reductions so far have been accomplished without reducing services or features of the new station.

Asked if he thought 30 percent would be enough to win approval from the voters, Herring told Health Board Chairman Helaine Hazlett, “I don't know. That is why we are still working to cut more.”

Board member Dr. Todd Belf-Becker, who also sits on the building subcommittee, said it is important to tell the people of Marblehead about “what will happen if this is not approved. It would not be pretty.”

The landfill is closely regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection, which could shut down the landfill and fine the town for not capping it.

Attridge met for most of a day recently with the DEP officials. “They found nothing earth shaking about what we are proposing to do,” he said. Some issues are not yet resolved, he said.

The subcommittee is working with two engineering firms, SEA Consultants and Geosyntec Consultants.

Hazlett praised the subcommittee for its work. “We are so pleased you are doing this. You have been working diligently.” She said the subcommittee is a well-rounded and very talented group of people.

In addition to Herring, Brian Hitchcock, a member of the subcommittee, attended the meeting.