Waste critics say profits don't add up; Residents oppose deal.

Byline: Brian Lee 

SOUTHBRIDGE - The woman on the municipal insignia declaring Southbridge "The Eye of the Commonwealth" would be in tears if she knew about plans for a bigger trash and garbage community, with minimal financial returns to the town, John Gatti Jr. said last night.

Mr. Gatti and Larry M. Beinema - two of the town's most outspoken residents in urging officials to hold off on authorizing the town manager to extend a contract with Casella Waste Systems for another 20 years -

hosted an educational forum at Town Hall.

The town election is set for June 26, so the event was to bring six candidates for three Town Council seats up to speed on the contract. It was also an open dialogue with the public.

With the recent closure of Hardwick's, Mr. Beinema said, there are only 16 solid waste landfills in the state. This scarcity puts Southbridge in the driver's seat for negotiating with Casella.

Mr. Gatti criticized councilors who supported the proposal "sight unseen" just days after contract details were released in February. He said they had not taken proper fiduciary responsibility on behalf of citizens.

Mr. Gatti also said both parties should agree to solicit new technologies, initiatives and joint ventures for Southbridge, as well as job creation and industrial park expansion.

Council candidates Kenneth M. O'Brien and Kevin P. Buxton also weighed in.

Mr. O'Brien said Casella's main motivation for wanting to tear up the existing 20-year deal that was signed in 1996 was to gain access to an enterprise fund, and from that account, it would make royalty payments to the town.

Mr. O'Brien said that if the Rutland, Vt.-based firm sought simply to increase the percentage of municipal solid waste, this would have only required an amendment to the existing contract. The Barefoot Road facility currently accepts construction demolition debris.

Mr. O'Brien estimated Casella stands to make $426 million overall from the deal.

"In essence; all of Casella's operations at this facility can be financed out of the money we are going to turn over to them, which essentially makes us their venture capitalist," Mr. O'Brien said. He said the town was "only getting a 17 percent return."

This drew a harsh reaction from Janet Avenue resident Robert T. Checkosky.

"We're turning money over to them that's not really of any benefit to us at this point," Mr. Checkosky said, alluding to the funds slotted for closure and post-closure costs.

"They're going to act like a corporation and invest this money to make some money," he said. "Well, shame on them."

Candidate Kevin P. Buxton, Sr. said the contract should be three to four years, for flexibility.

"As a responsible owner, the town needs to have not only a monitor, but possibly a landfill authority," he said.

The council is expected to vote on the proposal Monday. The vote has twice been delayed.

Councilor Robert F. King, the only councilor to attend last night, said he believed the initiative would pass this time.

Town Clerk Madaline I. Daoust said in an interview yesterday that the town's legal representative has indicated the contract extension could not be put on a ballot for town voters, which was recently requested.

Mrs. Daoust, who had spoken to attorney Lauren Goldberg of Kopelman & Paige, said the extension is not subject to submission to a referendum because it's not specifically mentioned in section 12-4-1 of the Town Charter, and is not subject to initiative petition since it is not a legislative act.

NAME: SOUTHBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: A view of the Casella landfill from the truck entrance on Barefoot Road in Southbridge.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/PAUL KAPTEYN