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Setting record straight about landfill costs

As the Montmorency-Oscoda-Alpena Landfill Administrator I must clarify some obvious misconceptions that were evident within Mr. Spragg’s letter to the editor last week.

In brief, please note the following:

∫ The Landfill has not raised their rates in nine years. Being governmental, everyone is charged the same.

∫ The Landfill receives and collects no money from public taxes. We are run strictly by tipping fees.

∫ The purpose of established flow control was to more accurately project how much waste is being brought into the Landfill to budget the cost of operations. Any monies from special projects are an uncertainty and are tagged outside the budget and earmarked for the future needs of the Landfill (i.e. cell construction).

∫ Since 2008 Montmorency, Oscoda, and Alpena counties have been receiving an allocation that was implemented in connection with the Chief Financial Letter that is used to meet our Financial Test. The amount of the county allocation is reviewed annually and does not supersede the needs of the Landfill or its patrons. This was a way to give back to the taxpayers.

∫ The Landfill is very well maintained by its employees. It is very discouraging to our employees to hear such ridicule when they have worked so hard to keep the landfill deck in the best condition feasible and accommodate the needs of the haulers.

Needless to say, until a new method of handling of waste gets developed there will continue to be landfills. Our landfill is constantly changing and, the appointed county commissioners on the Montmorency-Oscoda-Alpena Solid Waste Authority Board have done an excellent job in helping to keep the Landfill a viable entity.

We ask that any legitimate concerns or complaints be referred to the MOA Authority Board and/or Administrator.

Connie Gerrie

MOA Landfill Administrator

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