Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Allegany County proposes new commercial hauler permit, resident punch-card permits and revised fees
Summary
County public works staff proposed new rules to require commercial haulers to be permitted and restricted to the Angelica transfer station, introduce two residential punch-card permit options ($50 and $200) and revise per-trip fees (including $5 per 48-cu-ft residential load) with an intended April 1 enforcement start; committee opened discussion and asked for further refinements before a February definition and March vote.
Allegany County Public Works staff presented a comprehensive rewrite of solid-waste rules on Jan. 7, proposing commercial hauler permits, limits on residential loads and a two-tier residential permit punch-card system.
Thomas Windus, county superintendent of public works, said commercial waste collectors would need to submit permit applications and may not dispose of solid waste at county facilities until a permit is issued. He told the committee the county proposes limiting commercial haulers to dumping only at the Angelica landfill transfer station and capping commercial trips at 10 cubic yards per trip.
Windus and Shane Robbins, who oversees the county’s solid-waste system, said the county would require credit-card payment at time of service and move away from cash to improve safety and revenue tracking. Windus said the rules would be enforced beginning 04/01/2026 if adopted.
The proposal sets residential maximum volumes at 48 cubic feet (a short-box pickup truck), requires bagged garbage only, and preserves free recycling and electronic-waste collection at transfer stations. For residential users, the county would replace the current annual hang tag and per-bag ticket system with two permit options: a $50 permit with 10 punch-offs ($5 per trip) and a $200 permit with 40 punch-offs (also $5 per trip). Windus described the $200 permit as "40 punch off sections valued at $5 each" and said unused punch value would remain valid if fees later increase.
Proposed per-item fees include $5 for armchairs or similar items, $10 for sofas and mattresses, $20 for refrigerant-containing appliances, and passenger tires at $10 each; commercial hauler permits were proposed at $500 per year plus $100 per truck. Robbins warned that few commercial haulers currently recycle and recommended a $125-per-ton upcharge for noncompliant haulers.
Committee members raised questions about revenue impacts and staffing. Member Bassett noted the county does not yet know how the new permit system will affect net revenue and said the change could roll over unused punches into subsequent years, complicating budget forecasting. Windus acknowledged the fiscal unknowns and said the aim is to shift more of the $3 million annual operating cost toward user fees rather than property taxes.
Several members asked about operational details, including where permits could be purchased and whether town offices could sell them. Windus said online sales would continue and the county would still mail hang tags to customers who order online. Robbins said additional part-time staff or ticket checkers would likely be needed at transfer stations to punch permits, help residents with recycling, and maintain throughput.
Member Kevin LaForge disclosed a conflict and said he would recuse himself from the law-modification process because he owns a DEC-permitted transfer station restricted to company trucks and not designed for public use.
Windus asked the committee to provide feedback through February so staff can finalize language and aim to present a defined package for potential approval in March. No final vote to adopt the rules was taken at the Jan. 7 meeting; staff described the January presentation as a request for feedback and discussion.
