MONROE - Members of the Green County's Solid Waste Management Board say they are disappointed that the city of Monroe returned a contract to them that they've already rejected.
The Monroe Common Council voted last week to send back the same contract regarding the transfer station that the waste management board previously rejected. The transfer station, near Brodhead, is a dumping point for trash collected from throughout the county that ends up being buried at a landfill in Janesville. The issue of whether Monroe will continue to use the transfer station, and how Monroe's decision impacts other communities in the county, has been discussed for more than three years.
Board members say the city hasn't offered a practical solution.
"They think we haven't tried to compromise," said Rich Vogel, chairman of the waste management board.
He said he is surprised with the council's harsh words on the proposals, adding that Monroe has always had more representation on the board than any other community member.
"As a board," Vogel said, "we looked for alternatives that are more affordable."
He said Monroe was given an extra four seats on the board only to have very low attendance.
"Only once has all of Monroe's representation been present," he said.
Vogel said the current proposal from Monroe has three major problems. The first is the trash collection fees are at a set rate for the next two years rather than at market value, which the board prefers. Second, Vogel said it isn't necessary to charge each resident for those fees. And third, the board has always looked for ways to save money and implement worthwhile programs, he said.
"It's always something new from Monroe," Vogel said.
Former board chairman Nate Klassy said the board was looking for a simple contract that would last five years.
"They want one contract to send to all municipality members," he said.
Klassy said the transfer station originated when Brodhead and Monroe came together to create a landfill. Both cities agreed not to spend taxpayer dollars on the landfill, which necessitated creating the tipping fee.
The transfer station currently operates on a non-profit basis, with cities paying a membership or non-membership fee to dispose the garbage, he said.
"I don't think there are other (situations) like ours," Klassy said.
He warned that if the transfer station is eliminated, for-profit companies could dominate the market and charge higher fees to dispose of garbage.
Board member Steve Stettler said staff lay-offs, shorter hours of operations, or fewer trash pick-ups could be in store for the transfer station if it loses Monroe as a member.
"Those are decisions we may do to make (the transfer station) more economical," he said.
Stettler added that none of the numerous contracts sent to Monroe has ever been accepted. He added that he doesn't understand why Monroe is frustrated.
"It's a Monroe issue," he said. "Not a landfill issue."
Stettler said he doesn't think Alderman Michael Boyce's proposal of sending all of the garbage straight to Janesville is cost-effective or practical, especially when there has been no contract with it.
"I don't know how it'll work," he said.
Stettler said the current proposal was rejected because the board would be put at a disadvantage compared to private haulers. He said another solution for Monroe is to dispose of its recycling at the landfill rather than paying to get rid of it, which is what it is doing now.
"It would be a travesty for everybody if we lose this deal," he said.
The Monroe Common Council voted last week to send back the same contract regarding the transfer station that the waste management board previously rejected. The transfer station, near Brodhead, is a dumping point for trash collected from throughout the county that ends up being buried at a landfill in Janesville. The issue of whether Monroe will continue to use the transfer station, and how Monroe's decision impacts other communities in the county, has been discussed for more than three years.
Board members say the city hasn't offered a practical solution.
"They think we haven't tried to compromise," said Rich Vogel, chairman of the waste management board.
He said he is surprised with the council's harsh words on the proposals, adding that Monroe has always had more representation on the board than any other community member.
"As a board," Vogel said, "we looked for alternatives that are more affordable."
He said Monroe was given an extra four seats on the board only to have very low attendance.
"Only once has all of Monroe's representation been present," he said.
Vogel said the current proposal from Monroe has three major problems. The first is the trash collection fees are at a set rate for the next two years rather than at market value, which the board prefers. Second, Vogel said it isn't necessary to charge each resident for those fees. And third, the board has always looked for ways to save money and implement worthwhile programs, he said.
"It's always something new from Monroe," Vogel said.
Former board chairman Nate Klassy said the board was looking for a simple contract that would last five years.
"They want one contract to send to all municipality members," he said.
Klassy said the transfer station originated when Brodhead and Monroe came together to create a landfill. Both cities agreed not to spend taxpayer dollars on the landfill, which necessitated creating the tipping fee.
The transfer station currently operates on a non-profit basis, with cities paying a membership or non-membership fee to dispose the garbage, he said.
"I don't think there are other (situations) like ours," Klassy said.
He warned that if the transfer station is eliminated, for-profit companies could dominate the market and charge higher fees to dispose of garbage.
Board member Steve Stettler said staff lay-offs, shorter hours of operations, or fewer trash pick-ups could be in store for the transfer station if it loses Monroe as a member.
"Those are decisions we may do to make (the transfer station) more economical," he said.
Stettler added that none of the numerous contracts sent to Monroe has ever been accepted. He added that he doesn't understand why Monroe is frustrated.
"It's a Monroe issue," he said. "Not a landfill issue."
Stettler said he doesn't think Alderman Michael Boyce's proposal of sending all of the garbage straight to Janesville is cost-effective or practical, especially when there has been no contract with it.
"I don't know how it'll work," he said.
Stettler said the current proposal was rejected because the board would be put at a disadvantage compared to private haulers. He said another solution for Monroe is to dispose of its recycling at the landfill rather than paying to get rid of it, which is what it is doing now.
"It would be a travesty for everybody if we lose this deal," he said.