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Senate conveys Torrington transfer station parcel to Northwest Resource Recovery Authority; supporters say it could stabilize regional tipping fees
Summary
Senators approved a conveyance transferring a roughly four‑acre parcel in Torrington, including the transfer station, to the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority; backers said local control could lower tipping fees, while critics warned of carrying operating losses.
The Senate approved a bill transferring a roughly four‑acre parcel in Torrington, including the existing transfer station, to the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority (NRRA) for use as a public transfer station subject to standard state property review and DAS oversight.
Senator Gadcar Wilcox said the parcel must be used to operate a public transfer station for municipal solid waste and recycling and that ownership cannot be leased or it will revert to the state. Proponents, including Senator Harding and Senator Hoehnig, said regionalization and public ownership could stabilize tipping fees in the rural Northwest Corner by allowing competitive operations.
Senator Rob Sampson opposed the measure, citing the transfer station’s multi‑year operating losses (he cited figures of $4 million in 2025 and again in 2024, and nearly $9 million in 2023) and warned that taxpayers in nearby communities could be left responsible if losses continue. After debate, the Senate approved the conveyance by recorded vote (yeas 34, nays 2).
The conveyance is subject to approval by the State Property Review Board and standard administrative procedures by DAS. Implementation steps include property transfer mechanics and possible operating agreements with the NRRA.
