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King George supervisor wants more inspections of loads going to landfill Date published: 2/19/2004
King George Board of Supervisors Chairman Joseph Grzeika isn't afraid of bad news. That's part of the reason he asked Tuesday night for more surprise inspections of trash loads coming into the King George Landfill. "I think it has become routine," Grzeika said in an interview. "And when it becomes routine, it becomes susceptible." Grzeika said he wants Waste Management, the company that runs the landfill, and Jason Pauley, the county's director of solid waste and recycling, to know the county wants to ensure objective oversight. That includes more detailed monthly reports from Pauley. Grzeika said he's seen improvement in Pauley's monthly reports--but isn't yet satisfied. "It almost sounds like we're part of Waste Management," Grzeika said of Pauley's February report. Pauley said he worked with County Administrator Dennis Kerns to refine his reports, and will do the same again to address Grzeika's concern. Inspections, Pauley said, are effective and efficient. "The inspection processes here at the facility are far from lax," he said. "They're very detail-oriented and very specific." A county inspector combs through at least one load each day looking for impermissible waste, Pauley said. Waste Management, the national company that runs the landfill, also conducts inspections, he added. "Our personnel are trained to look for items that are unacceptable and handle them appropriately, in accordance with the regulations," said Lisa Kardell, a Waste Management spokeswoman. Progress is being made with other issues at the landfill, Grzeika said, "but we're not there yet." Supervisor Cedell Brooks Jr. complained about trash building up on a field bordering State Route 3 near Dogue. "It's terrible," Brooks said. "The field's loaded." Waste Management's Kardell said the company has been cleaning up roadways on a daily basis. Pauley's report says the company spent more than 220 labor hours doing that in January. Kardell said Waste Management will send letters to trash haulers outlining proper procedures for tarps and will be increasing random inspections to ensure the coverings are in place. The foul odor from gas generated at the landfill also continues to be a problem, several supervisors said. Pauley said that as odor sources have been discovered, they've been addressed. Waste Management is getting "a good handle" on the problem," Pauley said. The gas will give the county a slight revenue boost within the next year, thanks to a contract amendment approved Tuesday night. King George will receive a 10 percent royalty on the revenue generated by the sale of landfill gases. That will total no more than $10,000 a year, Pauley said. Previously, the county would have received 10 percent of the profits on the sale of gas. Kerns said that arrangement was too confusing and could have resulted in the county not getting any money. "We're trying to work with the county in many ways," said Dean Lyle, Waste Management's district manager. "This is another way we're trying to make it simple, instead of complicating matters." To reach ROB DAVIS: 540/374-5418 rdavis@freelancestar.com
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