Future of Transfer Station Hangs In Balance

On a date to be determined in the coming months, a major issue will be put forth to Salem's City Council. What is at stake surrounds the future of the lot at 12 Swampscott Road: a run-down waste incinerator-turned-transfer station owned by the city and operated by Northside Carting, sitting atop a contaminated plot of land.

If the proposal, which has the support of Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, receives the required eight favorable votes — a prerequisite currently in jeopardy — Northside will obtain ownership of land. According to Robert George, principal partner of Northside, the benefits of an approval to the city far outweigh any concerns the opposition may raise.

"The one complaint we keep hearing from the councilors that are against the project is an expected increase in traffic," said George, "but the research done by the necessary organizations only estimates four extra trucks per hour.

"When you're talking about four extra trucks per hour, in exchange for the contaminated landfill being capped on our tab, the city being compensated $225,000 per-year as a host city and getting rid of this eye sore, it's a no-brainer," he said.

Of the $225,000 that would be paid to the Salem as host-city, $30,000
would be contributed directly to the city's education system. Additionally, Northside Carting would cover the cost of capping the contaminated landfill; a bill with an estimated cost in excess of $2 million.

Northside Carting was given the bid for the land more than three years ago, when it was one of just two proposals submitted for the contaminated and costly property.

City Councilor Steven Pinto is outwardly opposed to Northside's attempt to seize ownership of the property. Pinto not only disputes the accuracy of the dollar figures being projected by Northside, but also envisions a far different development plan for the land.

"I think it is in the best interest of the city to absorb the cost of knocking down the existing structure and capping the landfill," said Pinto. "If we take care of covering the ash and send a request for proposal again once the economy has turned in a couple of years, we might get a more desirable proposal."

Pinto's preferred use of the land is a commercial application or possibly residential development. "That's a nice piece of land," he said, "If we can eliminate the cost of capping by doing it ourselves, and at the same time eliminate the 'contaminated property' designation that limited our last RFP, we could attract a much better use for Salem residents than a waste transfer station."

Pinto would also like to see the services of another engineering firm employed before a final decision is made.

"I think the cost for capping the land is over-estimated. The only organization to submit an estimate on that cost was operating on behalf of Northside; we need an independent and impartial organization to calculate the cost," said Pinto.

Based on calculations of figures extracted from DEP reports and the numbers presented by Northside, Pinto expects the actual cost for capping to come in at under $1 million.

If an independent organization confirms the cost of capping the land to total over $2 million, as current reports project, Pinto said he would reconsider his opposition to the proposal, saying "that is a whole different ballgame."

In addition to the financial considerations Northisde Carting is offering in exchange for ownership of the land, George reminds residents of the services provided on a weekly basis.

"We take solid waste, recyclables and electronics six days a week that people can drop off. We offer a valuable service to the people of Salem even beyond curbside pickup," he said. "It amazes me that every week people come to drop off trash and have no idea this proposal is even on the table. And most of them are in favor of our solution."

While a date for a resolution vote has not yet been established, now is the time to contact your city councilor and voice your opinion.

Further details on the Northside Carting proposal can be viewed on their website, www.northsidecarting.com.