Railroad’s Transfer Station Plans Raise Selectmen’s Concern

By Kendra Bobowick

Selectmen are peeved with Housatonic Railroad’s proposal for transfer station expansions.

Will increased materials, truck traffic, and noise become a problem that the town cannot control?

“There is little we can do but use persuasion for them to be reasonable,” said Selectman Herb Rosenthal. “There are federal regulations for the railroad. They don’t have to obey [town requirements].”

Prompting conversation Monday evening at the selectmen’s meeting were two letters First Selectman Joe Borst read for the record, one a Notice of Permit Application submitted by the railroad to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to “conduct a regulated activity in the construction, alteration, or operation of solid waste facilities. Specifically, the application proposes the continued operation and limited expansion of its waste transfer operation …” The expansions would be at the 30 Hawleyville Road location.

Shuffling papers searching for a letter from Director of Planning and Land Use George Benson regarding the permit, Mr Borst thought out loud: “More trucks — to me that creates problems.”

Musing about his own experiences with the railroad during his ten-year run as first selectman, Mr Rosenthal made his frustrations clear. “They’re not good neighbors,” he said, accusing, “When they want our help, they’re forthcoming, but if not …”

Subsequently, Mr Benson, Deputy Land Use Director Rob Sibley, and attorney David Morosan met with DEP representatives. Mr Borst now referred to the letter following that meeting. The letter states only an outline for the railroad’s application. The paperwork first goes to the DEPs Solid Waste Division. This division reviews the forms and issues a Notice of Sufficiency after confirming required documentation. The application undergoes a technical review.

Of importance to the selectmen was the fourth item in the process: “At this point the town should conduct an assessment of the application including an independent traffic study and submit all comments to the state DEP.” The letter from Mr Benson suggests, “The town should send a letter to the DEP Water Bureau requesting a review of the [railroad’s] application.”

Next? A notice of tentative determination should follow, which would require a public hearing within 30 days, the letter indicates. “The town should request the hearing and/or acquire a petition signed by 25 or more residents to force the hearing.”

Lastly, the DEP the final permit is denied or issued with conditions by the DEP.

Weighing the information he had just heard, selectman Paul Mangiafico asked, “Is the proposal good for the town?”

“I don’t think so,” said Mr Borst. Noting a downside to the transfer station expansions, Mr Rosenthal added, “We can’t tax them.” He would later make the point, “I find it hard to believe that we’ll find anything desirable, I just don’t see it.” Mr Borst replied, “It’s not what I want to see in Newtown for sure. I feel for the neighbors who live there.”

Seeking perspective, Mr Mangiafico said, “They’re asking to process 2,000 tons a day.”

“That’s two times the size of the transfer station in Danbury,” Mr Rosenthal compared.

Mr Mangiafico wants more than a public hearing. “I think we need a detailed explanation,” regarding the transfer station application. He continued, “I see no benefits; I see a real downside.” Have town officials taken an official stance? he wanted to know.

“No,” said Mr Borst.

A few minutes later, Mr Mangiafico added to his reservations. “I am worried about the materials they’ll be handling.” Mr Borst intends to “confer” with Mr Benson. His next step?

“We are definitely asking for hearings in Newtown,” Mr Borst said. “We’ll ask the railroad to come to a meeting and give a presentation.”

Some quick calculations reveal a big difference in the transfer station’s operations. If 20 truck transport roughly 450 tons of waste daily to the terminal, roughly 80 trucks would be needed to carry the potential 2,000 tons of waste each day. Anticipated waste handling would take place between 6 am and 6 pm Monday through Friday, possible Saturday. Trains, however, operate around the clock every day of the week.