It was back to the City Council Chambers last night to witness the final episode in the Board of Health's site suitability hearing for the proposed transfer station on Main St.
The applicant, United Waste, as well as the Citizen Interveners, and the PVRR Railroad were give a measured about of time to present their closing arguments.
Representing the Springdale Citizens Group, Robert Chipman spoke about the neighborhood.
Saying "This (transfer station) will cause a great burden on an already overburdened community - The testimony presented is more so on the one sided basis by the propionate - It has a lot to do with money, the haves, and have nots."
Ginetta Candilario speaking for the Hope Group said, "The solid waste transfer station, is in fact not a project that would benefit Holyoke community, and in fact cause irreparable harm to an already vulnerable public health situation in Springdale, and the City at large."
She called the current zoning a, "Spot Zoning situation which is dubious in terms of legal carriage." adding, "Your (Board of Health) under no obligation legally or otherwise to allow this modification."
Candilario was also critical of Scott Lemay, and United Waste.
In terms total impact on the city, she stated, "We think that the costs far out weigh any benefits, accept of course those benefits to Mr Lemay, and his partners - those we know are substantial".
She asked how only 6 employees will do all the work of the transfer station, "We've heard they are suppose to kick sort the loads, shrink wrap and bale waste, Monitor idling, Do visual inspection of loads, Control for vectors including airborne ones, Dust and litter patrol, Tarp the trucks, Run the weigh station, Handle emergency materials, Mist, and Provide security - That seems like an awful lot of work for just 6 people - All of which by the way is very dangerous work as well."
After months of hearings The Board of Health looked a bit weary while listening to the closing arguments.
Speaking for the PVRR, Mike Renicke was of the opinion that, "The inclusion of rail would improve an already acceptable environmental impact by reducing the tractor trailer outbound movement". While adding that the RR currently has no business, or financial agreement with United Waste.
Coming to the meeting a little late, Kevin Garcia, a Holyoke High School student, spoke for the other Citizen Intervener Group that sat with Hope through the hearing process.
Representing the youth of Holyoke he said, "It makes you wonder what's going to happen to the future, for better or worse - what's going to happen to this place - a glorious land of hopes, or a dump?"
Young Mr Garcia also noted his written closing arguments presented to the Board of Health that listed several proposed conditions for the facility if approved.
Scott Lemay mostly summarized the testimony he provided during the hearing, but also listed other transfer stations campaigned for by environmentalist in the State.
"These facilities increase recycling, they reduce our reliance on land fills, and they reduce pollution through load consolidation. These are true career environmentalist that understand the benefits, and know transfer stations are safe. The State has even arranged to finance these through MassDevelopment." Said Lemay.
Deliberations went on for two and a half hours. Although public input had ended the Board asked questions of the participating groups as they deliberated. It seemed obvious from the start that they were leaning towards granting the application, as they went over each proposed condition in detail.
Through either political savvy, or beginners luck, Young Mr Garcia's proposed conditions came up often through the process. I got a smirk on my face thinking how much like a career politician it was to read the mood of the Board, and influence them by taking a middle ground approach.
Hope had played a zero sum game, and that worried me. The way I understand it, if the Board had rejected this based on the less than perfect information provided by Hope, then United Waste would likely appeal the decision to the State, and get the go ahead anyway since the State already provided its approval. There would be no input by the city, or conditions imposed to make this a better project for Holyoke.
In the end all 3 Board of Health members voted to grant the application with conditions. A written copy of the approved application will be provided next week.
While leaving I asked members of Hope their opinion of the 41 conditions put on the site. They said, "That's fine, but whose going to enforce those conditions? The Health Department is already overburdened!"
A very good point that the Board itself wrestled with during deliberations.
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