Combining Trash and Recycling Could Save Belleville $400K

The Belleville Council heard from a garbage hauler Tuesday night that as much as $400,000 can be saved by combining trash collection and recycling.

Kevin Esposito, Belleville township manager, told the council at the meeting that the change could save residents as much as $400,000.

The council heard from representative John Roselli of Suburban Disposal, Inc. to discuss refuse, scavenger and recycling collection.

Councilman Steven Rovell said after the meeting, “I believe this plan can save us a lot of money.”

The change would allow the township to alter the recycling schedule, while allowing for trash scavenging and the co-mingling a lot residents’ recycling, officials said.

“This will reduce our garbage tipping fees, and we will benefit from an economy of scale,” Rovell said. “Wednesday could become recycling day throughout the township, and make it simpler and easier for residents.”

Rovell, who represents the township’s Second Ward, said of the change, “I think residents will agree that saving that much money will be a good thing for everyone.”

Also Tuesday, the council passed a second resolution to redevelop the underutilized former School No. 1 property.

The second resolution includes the language “including the contract of sale.”

Naming the developer is another major step toward the building’s demolition, despite a small but vocal minority's warnings that the site is needed for afterschool recreation or that the school district may need the property in the future.

Riefolo Construction Company, Inc. located at 12 Railroad Pl. in Belleville was selected to turn the underutilized property into a taxable combination of development, possibly including residential and retail space.

The large city block has stored school buses and been used by police and recreation employees in the past decade. 

The property was designated as an area in need of redevelopment in 2011.

Angry criticism persists from a few residents demanding more recreation and the possible need for school space for children, but Belleville officials still approved a move that could instead bring anything from condominiums or low-income apartments to retail to the existing area.

The property is located at the corner of Cortlandt and Rutgers streets.

The details of the deal with Riefolo may include an offer from the company for as much as $1 million and may look to build 60 units with 120 parking spaces, officials said.

Also Tuesday, Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke and Councilman Michael Nicosia again argued about completing construction of a new, smaller recreation site at the location of the former Friendly recreation house on Florence Avenue in the Silver Lake section of Belleville, which is locate in Burke’s First Ward.

Burke has been dissatisfied with the pace of the work.

Other items approved by the council Tuesday night were:

• The council approved an ordinance re-appropriating $685,507.68, which are the  leftover funds from other projects that  ended up not being needed for the original purposes. Instead the funds are to be used to acquire new vehicles and maintain, repair or demolish township properties, according to the ordinance.
• The council also approved another emergency resolution to extend the 2013 temporary budget,  a move needed to keep the government running until the official 2013 municipal budget is approved.