Mayor Richard J. Kos announced he has received the report from the Landfill Closure Alternatives Advisory Committee which studied the options available to the City for the impending closure of the Chicopee landfill which is expected by 2018.
The City is facing an annual $1,735,000 total estimated financial impact due to the landfill closure. The report was commissioned by the City with the help of a $15,000 District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) grant funded by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to explore options for the City going forward.
The report provides a comprehensive review of the landfill situation and options with an emphasis on waste reduction and increase in recycling and operational efficiencies.
“We will be sharing this information with our municipal leaders and the public so that a comprehensive approach can be taken in the City’s best interest,” said Mayor Kos.
Commission Members included co-chairs Timothy S. McClellan - Ward 6 City Councilor, former DPW Superintendent and current Project Advisor Stanley Kulig, Arlene Miller - Municipal Assistance Coordinator for MADEP, Barry Brouillard - DPW Environmental Programs Coordinator, Frank Laflamme - Chicopee City Councilor At-
Large, James Tillotson - Chicopee City Councilor At-Large, Jeffrey Neece - Chicopee DPW Superintendent, Lee Pouliot - Planning Director, Marc Dugre - Business
Representative of DeJordy, Dugre, Croteau, & Co, P.C, Monica Blazic - Executive Director of the Chicopee Housing Authority, Paul Phaneuf - Business Representative of St. Pierre Funeral Home, William Zaskey - Chicopee Ward 4 City Councilor, and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission staff members.
“The centerpiece of the advisory committee recommendations is waste reduction,” said Co-Chair Kulig. “We fully expect that Chicopee residents will step up and participate in the cost saving effort to limit curbside trash and increase recycling. This crisis truly is an opportunity to investigate and implement waste reduction/recycling strategies and move forward with a commitment to Waste Reduction/Zero Waste in the next decade.”
Mayor Kos has scheduled a public meeting for March 29, 2016, at the Chicopee Senior Center at 6: 30 PM to discuss and review the report with the City Council and the public.
The full report can be found at http://ma-chicopee.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2024