Agenda - Council - 05/31/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I i I I I I I I SERVICE BURDENS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS A landfill or resource recovery facility may require a number of public services. These services may include water and sewer service hookups, additional fire and police training and equipment, clean-up along haul routes, installing traffic signals, and maintaining locally owned roads and buffer zone amenities. The need for these services would depend on the size, location and opera- tion of the landfill or resource recovery plant. Services required after the landfill closes could include routine periodic site inspections and gas and groundwater monitoring. The buffer zone is important because it shields the community from many nuisance impacts. Consequently, it is important for the buffer zone to be adequately designed and constructed to meet local concerns and to shield the community from nuisance impacts. Direct costs refer to costs of fire protection, water and sewer service, and the buffer zone, including its design and amenities. Fire protection service is usually paid for by households and businesses through property taxes. L.ar§e fires or fires beyond the norm should be paid for by the waste facility owner. A contract for adequate fire protection to cover routine and unusual circumstances should be negotiated between the munic- I I I I I I I I ipality or township and the waste facility owner. Water and sewer service in most communities is paid for by special assess- ments or hookup fees. Landfills do not necessarily need municipal water supply or sewer services, but some resource recovery facilities would. If water or sewer services are extended to a waste facility, its owner should bear the full share of the costs. Counties are required, under state law, to pay special assessments for services or utilities extended to it. However, the property cannot be assessed for more than the bene- fit to the property of the improvement. Using a buffer zone is an important method for reducing or shielding sur- rounding properties from nuisance problems such as odor, dust, noise and litter. The buffer zone should be well designed and large enough to ensure a buffering effect. Buffer zone design and amenities needed by the local community should be paid for by the waste facility owner° In addition~ the buffer zone should be completed and in place before the waste facility begins operation. There are several indirect costs that may fall upon the host community, including, road upgrading and repair, litter control, monitoring and inspection costs, end-use planning, costs due to the disruption of planned and future water and sewer services, and special assessments for services or utilities. As stated earlier, the county or waste facility owner should assume responsibility for the immediate access roads to the waste facility. The same entity shall bear the maintenance costs inci- dent to a waste facility use for any locally owned road used as a haul route, such as a municipal state-aid highway. 16