Solid Waste Authority Discusses Working with Allegheny Disposal for Future Operations

At their November 5^th Special Meeting, the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) members discussed working with Jacob Meck’s Allegheny Disposal Company to use the transfer station Meck intends to build in the Green Bank area. They agreed to hold a special meeting on November 13^th where they, Jacob Meck and County Commission President John Rebinski could discuss this. In other business, they approved a quote to purchase 8 solid waste dumpsters which are needed to replace broken or worn-out ones. The total cost being $10,740, including shipping. They also handled routine items.

At the November 13^th SWA Special Meeting, all three County Commissioners; as well as Jacob Meck, and Marlinton Mayor Sam Felton, and others were in attendance. Mark Holstine, Chairman of the WV Solid Waste Management Board attended remotely.

SWA Chairman Dave Henderson began by stating “we are going to continue to service our customers,” explaining that is what Meck also always tells the SWA. Henderson also said the next step is for Meck to obtain all the permits he needs from the WV Public Service Commission (PSC.) He said that since Meck has decided to build his own transfer station, the option of the SWA building a second one is economically off the table, so the SWA will need to bring their green box trash to Meck’s Transfer Station.

Mary Clendenen, the SWA Office Administrator, said Meck has already advertised his proposed Siting Plan to build his transfer station in Green Bank. Meck added his next step after approval of his siting plan, if he will accept county trash there, is for him to apply for and receive a “Certificate of Need” from the PSC. He also needs to have the SWA approve his siting plan application, or he cannot move forward with accepting SWA trash. Mark Holstine agreed that Meck would not need a Certificate of Need if he is only handling his own companies’ customer trash at his transfer station and not the public trash from the SWA.

Meck explained that if he will be hauling just his own customers’ trash, he could cut corners and utilize old, used and/or second-hand equipment and materials which would lower the cost to build his transfer station. However, if it is a public-use transfer facility, the PSA will set his tipping fees, and his building and equipment must be top-notch, thus adding a lot of expense.

Clendenen said that after their landfill closes in October of 2026, the SWA will need to raise its green box fees to $300.00 annually for every address in the county unless the County Commission supports them with about $300,000 annually. She said that would be the only way to keep the green box fees lower.

Meck said he charges his residential customers $320.00 a year so is worried people might switch to that if their green box fee goes up to $300.00, but he does not want to expand to handle all those potential additional customers. All parties are worried that if the green box fee is too high, trash will be dumped over the hill and make the county look trashy. Everyone also agreed in the future, that green boxes will have to be better controlled to ensure everyone bringing trash there are paying customers.

Henderson and Meck both said time is running very short to get all the permits needed to continue seamless trash disposal after the landfill is closed. Meck added that he fears they may run out of time.

Mark Holstine said that the Tucker County tipping fee is currently $53.30 and is likely to stay at that rate for several years, so Meck and the SWA can use that figure to help calculate their costs if they send trash from the transfer station there.

Rebinski summed up the meeting, saying Meck is willing to allow the SWA to bring their trash to his transfer station if he gets the required permits and he is willing to start the permit processes needed for that as soon as possible, but he can’t move forward until the SWA approves his Siting plan application, which then must go through a 30-day public comment period followed by a public hearing, probably in January or February. Then it will need state approval. He will also need to complete a Certificate of Need application and receive approval of that.  It appears everyone is willing to at least start those processes.

There were no motions or votes by the SWA members about any of this at this meeting. The next SWA meeting will be on December 3^rd.