RVC board approves bid for cleanup of DPW transfer station and storage facility

$361, 500. That’s how much the village will pay to clean up the Department of Public Works yard and storage facility near Mill River. The board of trustees approved the sizable bid, from J. Cole Construction, during its meeting on Feb. 8, in a move they insisted was necessary.

“This is a blow to the budget that was totally unexpected, …” said Trustee David Krasula. “We were left with not much of a choice other than to remediate this problem, and as quickly as possible.”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) brought the need for remediation to the attention of the village board only recently. According to a village spokesman, NYSDEC informed the village that it was unlawfully using the DPW yard as a transfer station for refuse before disposal, which requires a permit. The village, which currently doesn’t have a permit to do this, can apply for one at a future time. But in the meantime, it must address the clean up issue, which Mayor Mary Bossart said was a “long-standing problem” dating back to past village administrations.

Krasula added that he and his fellow trustees had no choice but to address the problem now to avoid a financial penalty from NYSDEC, which has the authority to levy a fine for improper disposal. Trustees had considered completing the job with the village’s own sanitation staff, but the time frame would have been much more extensive. So instead, they decided to hire an outside contractor. Money for the cleanup will come from the village’s general fund.

J. Cole Construction was one of three bidders for the job, which is expected to begin shortly. It should take between four and six weeks for the contractors to complete their work, according to Village Comptroller Mike Schussheim, who said he hopes the work will begin before the end of February, although paperwork for it is still being finalized.