China transfer station committee discusses future of facility

by Mary Grow

At their June 10 meeting, China Transfer Station Committee members started what is planned as an ongoing discussion of the future of the facility.

They had been invited beforehand to consider three issues: plans for the next five years, potential improvements and “one really great thing about our transfer station.”

The “really great thing,” committee members made clear, is the staff. With station manager Thomas Maraggio listening, they commended the crew for being helpful; praised the decorations (mostly by Maraggio and his wife) that change frequently, and the informational signs; and commended staff for extra work, like the time Maraggio and Cheyenne “Cj” Houle spend applying for grants.

Committee member James Hines suggested the staff do too good a job: perhaps if the place were less welcoming, traffic would move faster.

Replying to committee chairman Chris Baumann’s invitation to discuss future plans, Maraggio said the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging consolidation of transfer stations. Palermo residents already use China’s transfer station, by contract. Other area towns that do not have their own facilities, like Freedom or Albion, might join a China-based regional facility, he said.

Maraggio would like to see a revised traffic pattern that would eliminate the need to back up to the waste hopper. A one-way drive-through would be safer and faster – and would require a costly redesign.

Bob Kurek, one of two committee members from Palermo, suggested if DEP wants a regional facility, the department should help pay to design and build it.

Committee member and free for the taking building volunteer Rachel Anderson said a redesign should relocate and enlarge the building where people leave usable things for other people to take home. Meanwhile, she said, more volunteers to help keep the area orderly would be welcome.

Committee members’ next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 8. On Baumann’s recommendation, they agreed by consensus not to meet in August.