Traveling on New Route 460 Road Could Be Expensive
Those planning on driving on the new limited-access U.S. Route 460 road, which will run a total of 55 miles from Suffolk and Petersburg, may be in for a rude awakening. Tolls are expected to be high. For cars, tolls could be anywhere from $5.50 and $11.00, and that is just for riding the road in one direction. For trucks, the costs of driving on the road will be even higher. They are expected to be as much as $22 one way. Currently, the Virginia Department of Transportation is reviewing 3 proposals from private companies to both develop and operate the new road. The costs in these proposals just to design and build the road range from around $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion. The 3 companies that made the conceptual proposals are MultiModal Solutions, Clintra Infraestructuras and 460 Partners, and all 3 are requesting to receive of minimum term of 75 years. The contract would include the development of the road and its construction as well as the maintenance of the road and the collection of tolls on the road. The state of Virginia is planning on building the limited-access road south of the existing U.S. Route 460 while running parallel to it. All 3 proposals envision a similar timeframe for completing the road. Both MultiModal Solutions and 460 Partners are estimating that constructing will take about 5 years. Clintra Infraestructuras estimates that the construction will take just a little longer: 5 1/2 years. All the proposals also detail just how the companies plan to collect tolls from motorists. The 3 would all do it electronically. Another similarity between the 3 proposals is how the costs of the tolls would increase. Each company envisions that tolls would increase on a yearly basis, with only a slight difference in cost between the 3, which vary from a little under 2% every year to about 3% every year. While the Virginia Department of Transportation is reviewing the 3 proposals, this is just the first step in the process. The next step involves the creation of an independent panel, which the state’s secretary of transportation will appoint. But not just government officials will be reviewing the proposals. The agency insists that the public will be able to participate in the review process as well. The limited-access road will replace a section of U.S. Route 460 that currently exists between U.S. 58 and the Interstate 295 interchange that is not far from Petersburg, and it will include 4 lanes. The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates that a little less than 9,000 vehicles will use the new road on a daily basis. This is about 10% of the traffic that travels along I-64 in Williamsburg. The agency expects that those traveling on the new road would bypass 10 stop lights, which would save drivers 20 minutes. This represents a 20% reduction in driving time. The new road will also reduce traffic in many towns, such as Ivor, Windsor, Disputanta, Zuni, Wakefield and Waverly. The agency believes that this would further improve road safety, which is currently a major issue. To pay for the new road, the state of Virginia plans to contribute $900 million from its highway construction funds and the Virginia Port Authority will contribute another $250 million. The private company chosen to construct and operate the road will additionally finance another $250 million of the construction costs, which it will recover through the collection of the tolls. The state hopes that the new road will stimulate the economy through new buildings, new companies and new jobs to the extent that it justifies the investment. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Retailers endorse abc privatization with modification
The Virginia Retail Federation, which represents thousands of stores and retailers throughout the state, announced their vote to endorse private distilled spirits sales. In their decision, the group also confirmed plans for how to proceed with the issue. The biggest goal is to work with current Governor McDonnell, his staff, and the Assembly itself as changes to the bill occur. If all goes well, it should be set up for a vote in several months. Expanding on their position, the federation listed support for the idea of privatization, as well as looking towards the process if open for comments, questions, and overall feedback from the public. More importantly, the group feels it should occur with the thoughts of all retailers in mind. The previous lack of attention given to small businesses and merchants has been seen in their decline over the years. The group also states that the entire legislative process come through with selected controls in place. All retailers under this banner have some specific details that they want to accomplish with this legislation. First and foremost is a larger number of licenses for all retailers who want to sell spirits. The licenses should also grow to cover retailers that are smaller or below those of the big box chains. In recent years, this issue has been especially troubling to the group as they’ve seen firsthand as large retailers have squeezed smaller stores out of profits; even leading to closings. The use of licenses is crucial to developing and keeping up a consistent supply of spirits. Without them, a retailer cannot make purchases or store alcohol on the property. While this may not seem like an issue to consumers, it is one the federation is well aware of. That’s why they are turning their attention to a certain form of license that the group believes levels the playing field. Chief among those licenses are the crucial licenses that are crucial to a business who wants to successfully sell spirits. Tier-four licenses are also a part of their concerns. Among their biggest concerns was the fee of @25,000 and creating a way to pay overtime, instead of upfront. Another change that is central to their platform is merchants or retailers with less than 3,000 square feet or 50 employees should have the chance to get the coveted license. Early suction, as well as subsequent distribution, should also include beta testing. Their reason for reaching out to smaller merchants is their growth in the market. The number of independent retailers outnumbers even the biggest national stores. To keep things competitive, the group hopes to raise tier-four licenses and increase competition. In a press release about their decision, they affirmed their commitment by promising increased connections with the Review Commission. The President and CEO Nancy Thomas expressed her concern, “Restricting the sale of distilled spirits to such as small percentage of these businesses creates a serious competitive imbalance. The VRF was founded in order to provide a balanced voice for all retailers in the Commonwealth, both large and small. For that reason, we will move very deliberately and cautiously when considering legislation of this magnitude and consequence.” The Retail Alliance and the Retail Merchants Association relies on the Virginia Retail Federation to act as their advocate on all matters. The group lists their mission as a way to advicate for those retailers in the community who need it. Their influences reach into national stores as well as local shops. All chapters work to access retail opportunities that every merchant can rely on. Anyone in the community is welcome to contaqct with the federation, association, and alliance. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Nursing Home At Odds With Community
Courtland Health Care Center is the home for seniors where Juanita Sydnor has volunteered for more than 15 years. She estimates that she has spent 330 days at the facility over the last year. This comes to 775 hours she has spent sitting, talking, and establishing relationships with the residents of the senior care facility. Sydnor says she has also spent as much as $4,000 of her personal money on decorations with the intent to bring a little cheer to the facility. Sydnor says she thought about the residents everywhere she went. And when she saw something she felt they would enjoy, she purchased it. She says the residents of the senior care facility. However, Sydnor quit volunteering at the facility in September. Sydnor says officials and employees at the facility hurt her feelings on a number of occasions. They began to tell her she could not decorate the facility as usual for a variety of reasons. She said the constraints placed on her began to sour the experience for her and she decided it was time for her to move on. She says officials should take note that there is a problem somewhere when dedicated volunteers decide they no longer want to spend time there. Kenneth Williams Sr. is the pastor at nearby Fountain Groves Baptist Church. Williams says he has also been troubled with some of the changes he has seen at Courtland recently. Williams says Courtland has a good name in the community. He has served the community as a pastor for 40 years and says the senior care facility has been one of his favorite places to visit. He said the facility is now like a hornet nest that has been disturbed by an intruder. Everyone there is upset. Sydnor and Williams agree the problems at Courtland began in February when the operator of the nursing home, Medical Facilities of America, hired a new administrator. Williams says that since her hire, the new administrator, Mandy Pennington, has fired the former director of the senior care facility along with more than 20 nurses that once worked at the facility. Williams says Pennington has cleaned house since taking over as administrator and someone empowered her to do so. The pastor says he is careful not to judge but ‘even preachers’ get upset at times. Pennington did not want to take part in an interview but said she would answer any questions posed to her regarding the firings in written format. She did say, however, that it is untrue 25 people had been fired. Pennington said the staffing levels at the facility have been constant throughout her tenure and the facility does not use temporary positions to fill nursing positions. Sydnor says many of the residents were troubled by the nurses that have been fired. She says volunteers and other staff were not allowed to talk with residents about the firings but they would ask what happened to the nurses they missed. Sydnor is also upset with people who have criticized her for hurting the residents with her departure. Her response is why not worry about the number of nurses that have been fired. She says the residents miss the nurses also. Sydnor defends her actions and says the changes became more than she can tolerate. She says all ‘they’ had to do was speak with her about the decorations and she would still be a volunteer at the facility. Sydnor says she returned to the facility recently to visit the first cousin of her father. She says she was happy to find her father’s cousin outside where she could sit and visit with her. She says she has not been inside the facility since she stopped volunteering. She says she wants to go back because many of the people inside are like family to her. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Plan For Coal Energy Plant Delayed
A cooperative formed by Old Dominion Electric announced on Wednesday its plan to build a coal power plant will be delayed. The plan was to build the plant in Hampton Roads and supporters of the delay say it is a sign that Virginia may be on track to experience a future that includes placing a priority on clean energy sources. Coal is considered one of the ‘dirtiest’ sources of energy available. Halting the current plan to build a coal power plant in Hampton Roads will provide everyone involved the opportunity to consider other ways to serve the energy needs of Virginians. The hope is the cooperative can settle on an energy source that will be less expensive and more friendly to the environment. The plan to build the $6 billion power plant at a location in Surry County has been opposed by Wise Energy for Virginia since the plan to build the plant was first announced. The organization has been able to garner the support of thousands of Virginians who are concerned with issues like air quality, mercury in state waters, and actions that contribute to global warming. The ongoing shift from fossil fuels to clean energy sources is picking up steam throughout the United States. A Sierra club report says that more than a hundred plans for coal plants have been scrapped in the country over an eight-year period. It has also been noted that clean energy jobs are growing faster than most other job industries in the country. In the Hampton Roads case, ODEC says it has no plans to give up on building its Cypress Creek Power Station. The cooperative says it is only pausing to monitor pending regulations concerning greenhouse gas emissions. Opponents of the ODEC plan say no reason exists to think the cooperative will ‘see the light’ without a little encouragement. Leaders for Wise Energy say it is important for citizen involvement to remain as high as it is now. The organization says it also important that both ODEC and officials at the state and local level understand the importance of energy efficiency. The organization says it would not be difficult to achieve the same energy production with wind, solar, or another sustainable source of energy. One major factor in the determination shown by Wise Energy in the fight against the plant is the health of Chesapeake Bay. The EPA, a number of states, and other organizations are currently working to clean up the bay. However, the new coal mine would cause 3,000 tons of additional nitrogen oxides to end up in the bay on an annual basis. The plant would also increase the risk for Virginians who like to eat seafood. The plant would become an immediate producer of large amounts of the neurotoxin mercury that would be dumped into local waters. The carbon footprint for the plant annually would be 11.6 million tons. This would contribute greatly to global warming. A 2008 report commissioned by the governor on global warning predicted Virginia sea levels would rise from 2.3 feet at the time of the report to 5.2 feet by the turn of the century. Wise Energy says it was a good decision on the part of ODEC to use the pause button and reconsider its options for the proposed plant. The organization says it is willing to work with ODEC to find cleaner energy alternatives, produce jobs in the community, and keep electricity bills affordable for local citizens. Wise Energy also says it intends to make sure Cyprus Creek is added to the list of planned coal energy plants that were abandoned. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
How Big Woods Became A State Forest And Wildlife Area
Sussex County is home to 4,400 acres of pine forest that has come to be known as ‘Big Woods.’ The area has also become a wildlife management area, as well as, a state forest. The Game and Inland Fisheries Department partnered with the Forestry Department to purchase the property at a price of $6.4 million. The previous owner was the Nature Conservancy. The new owners agreed to manage the property jointly and a lot of work went into transforming the land that was purchased into forest and wildlife management area that it is today. Bruce Phillips is the owner of 1,000 acres of land in Southampton, Virginia located not very far away from ‘Big Woods.’ Phillips is in favor of the purchase made by the state agencies and said the move was a good thing. Phillips says nothing in the western portion of Tidewater can compare to the property. He says the Big Woods acquisition can mean only good things for the area. Big Woods State Forest was formed with 2,200 acres of the Big Forest land that was purchased. It became the 21st state forest in Virginia but only the first located in the Southeast portion of the state. The remaining 2,200 acres of land was used to create the 38th wildlife management area in the state. The Big Woods Wildlife Management Area remains under the control of the Department of Forestry and will work to facilitate economic development, sustainable forestry, and education for landowners in the area. Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Todd Haymore, expressed excitement at the acquisition of what he characterizes as an ‘important’ piece of land. Haymore called the land a good acquisition for the state. Carl Garrison, a state forester, added Big Woods stands as a great example of a pine savannah ecosystem. Garrison expected the land purchase to provide the state with an opportunity to plant a good supply of longleaf pine. The species once covered millions of acres of Virginia land but has experienced greatly diminished numbers in recent years. Both agencies involved with the purchase understood the work necessary to bring their plans for the land to fruition. Much time was spent in meetings was necessary to iron out important issues like management strategies, permits that would be needed, and what access the public would have to the area. Bob Duncan is the executive director of the Game and Inland Fisheries Department. He says the stated goal of the Department is not only wildlife conservation but also the protection of outdoor recreational activities like boating, fishing, hunting, and observing wildlife. The goal, Duncan explains, is to better connect Virginians with a knowledge and understanding of the outdoors that will cause ‘us all’ to become better stewards of the many treasures provided by nature. The Big Woods area straddles the watersheds for the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers and was purchased from the International Paper Co. by the Nature Conservancy in 2006. The lion’s share of the $6.4 million used to purchase the property came from a state conservation bond that totaled $4.1 million. Another $900,000 of the purchase money came from the Forest Legacy Program managed by the United States Forest Service. Eight-hundred thousand dollars of additional funding was provided by a state land conservation fund. And the final $550,000 was provided by a grant program for Recovery Land Acquisition provided by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Phillips also serves Virginians Against Outlying Landing Field as the group’s environmental chairman. The chairman explains that adding a state and wildlife management area would do a lot to help combat outlying landing fields. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Grant would fund biomass research center
The switch to new ways of producing and providing power is an aspect of governance that lawmakers and politicians across the U.S. are looking to learn more about. The Franklin-Southampton region is now looking to take advantage of a Federal Grant that will allow the economic development region to explore the possibilities of creating a Biomass Renewable Energy Center in Franklin, Virginia. The decision to apply for the $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce which will be dispersed over a two-year period was headed by the Opportunity Inc. group. This investment group was made in conjunction with the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc. Over the course of the two-year period, the prospect of developing a biomass research center in Franklin would be explored with the development being paid for in part by the grant. To make sure the proposal submitted meets the rigorous standards of the U.S. Department of Commerce that has been given the task of evaluating and dispersing the grant to groups meeting its requirements. Those involved with the submission of the grant proposal for Franklin and Southampton believe they have good shot at receiving the funding and establishing an alternative fuels center in the state of Virginia. The idea for developing what has been initially christened the Center for Renewable Biomass Energy Development in the Franklin area with the funds available being used for developmental reasons. The President of the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., John Smolak explained the decision has yet to be taken over which community will receive a grant and Franklin faces some stiff opposition. Despite the competition, Franklin and Southampton face if they are to receive the grant the group was moving forward with its plans to create a biomass research center in Virginia. The research alone needed to take Franklin and Southampton into the biomass energy era would take more than $500,000. The idea behind applying for the grant is to provide the group with the ability to conduct as much research as possible into the possibilities on offer for biomass to be produced in the Franklin and Southampton area. One of the most important aspects of the work being completed by the group is the appointment of a research officer they hope will be paid for by the grant. By paying an expert in the development of biomass energy production the funding required, the option of employing an expert to develop the new center and apply for more grants was one that is being explored. In total, the grant would make its way back to the community in many different ways with more research required if the Franklin area is to become a biomass leader. Rumors have swirled around the Franklin area for a number of months regarding the location of the proposed Center for Renewable Biomass Energy Development. One of the proposed sites is stated as being the current location of the International Paper mill that is thought to be on the verge of partial closure in the coming months. The infrastructure available at the mill is thought to be favorable for the development of the biomass development center but a note of caution has already been sounded. Those involved in the development of the research center have stated the loss of over 1,000 jobs is possible if the mill were to close and this would be a problem for the community. A decision about the future of the mill has yet to be reached or revealed to the public which means the current situation is not one that can be sustained. Officials at the biomass company explained any loss of jobs from International Paper would make the new venture in renewable energy would be even more important for the future of Virginia as a whole. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
SHS leads the way in community service
Let’s be frank. When it comes to young people today, many are seen as lazy or entitled or described in even less flattering terms. However, it would be difficult to say that about the students of Southampton High School (SHS). The class body seems to be on a major roll helping those in need in a variety of capacities. Students at SHS have answered the call to assist those right here at home or around the globe. The community-at-large finds their actions heartwarming, unselfish and mature. For instance, the annual Trooper Hill Toy Drive is a favorite, and this time around, students raised about $3,000 for the local charity by holding a “Black and White Ball.” The funds also came from the school’s student clubs. The money will go toward the purchase of holiday toys for area children. The high school’s Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored the event, and SGA’s Melissa Edwards says the organization was proud to be a part of the endeavor because the funds raised from the Trooper Hill Toy Drive benefits a lot of children during the holiday season. SHS feels fortunate, Melissa says, and they merely want to give back to the community. Those students who were able to collect the most funds from each student club received special titles and recognition. For example, Chris Vincent and Nicole Reedy were named the Snow King and Snow Queen of the event, and Meagan Tillett won the title of Winter Charity Queen for her fundraising efforts in the Science Club. Putting smiles on someone’s face, especially when it is that of a child’s, makes it that more special, according to Melissa. She was thrilled that the student body collaborated on such a successful campaign. The fundraising wasn’t over, however, and SHS kicked into gear for its school-wide food drive called the Thanksgiving Food Drive. The SHS student body works together with the Key Club to create a contest that collects non-perishable items for a local food bank. A race is set up between first block classes to gather the most cans and boxes of food. Dr. Dinh’s dual-credit biology class was crowned the winner after collecting more than 200 items. As a whole, the SHS student body and staff outdid themselves by pulling in 1,100 items for the food bank. The SHS Tri-Hi-Y Club will also do their part by using their amazing vocals and singing carols to the residents of the Courtland Healthcare Center. In addition, the club will adopt a family from Courtland and put on a feast for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The children of the family will be gifted with clothing and toys. Meantime, the SHS cafeteria staff will conduct its annual collection of food, clothing, toys and toiletries for the family. The SHS Key Club will also plan another annual event called the Tree of Warmth. Every year, the school club successfully collects more than 100 coats to keep local families warm and cozy during the cold winter months ahead. That’s not all for the Key Club. Various members will also hold a Holiday Bingo event at the Village at Woods Edge and a Holiday Luncheon to thank high school teachers and staff. The club will be present and assist during the Franklin Junior Women’s Club during Breakfast with Santa. The SHS Culinary Arts class has once again made a gorgeous gingerbread beauty. This time it’s modeled after the famous German Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle was donated to the Franklin/Southampton Chapter of Habitat for Humanity for its charity auction. Congratulations, Southampton High School, you’re a true leader in community service. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Police investigating violent home invasion
The suspect of a recent home invasion on South College Drive remains on the loose, and that has Franklin residents feeling uneasy in their small city of less than 9,000. According to Franklin Police, the suspect allegedly robbed and beat a 41-year-old woman mid-morning. The incident was reported to officers around 10 AM by the victim who says she was assaulted. Police reports say that the woman opened her back door to usher in some air and went back to lay down. Then, she told police that a man entered her home and walked into her bedroom demanding to know where she kept her purse. The victim says she initially did what the man told her to do because he had allegedly threatened her life. When he grabbed her purse, however, that is when the woman defended herself and began trying to retrieve her belongings. The suspect allegedly began fighting the woman and pushing her about the bedroom and out into the living room where he threw her, reported Franklin police Detective Joshua Butts. The injured victim was taken to Southhampton Memorial Hospital for treatment and then released. Police say that the woman did not sustain serious injury. The victim gave police a thorough description of her assailant who has been described as a man with long dreadlocks, standing about 6 feet tall with a medium build. He wore jeans, white Nikes and a yellow shirt. Neighbors in the area like Earline Williams are frightened, fear for their safety and hope the police tackle the issue of gang violence and shooting. Meantime, Franklin Police remain on the hunt for the suspect and searched the home for further evidence. A member of the K-9 unit was brought in for tracking, and the crime scene area was roped off by police. If any member of the community saw something or believes they know who the suspect is, they’ve been advised to call the Franklin Police Department with their tips. Williams complained about residents who don’t bother to call police with tips that could help the investigation. “It’s ridiculous, and don’t nobody know nothing.” She believes there had to have been someone who heard something or saw something and hopes witnesses step forward. Although Franklin is a very small city, many communities across the nation are vulnerable to the crime of home invasion. The United States Department of Justice estimates that there are 1.03 million home invasions every year. Interestingly, most burglaries occur between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. That is when most people are away at work, and the home is usually empty. A home invasion usually involves some type of force with its illegal entry into someone’s home. Under Virginia state law, a home invasion is considered a felony. Home invasion is punished as a burglary or statutory burglary, according to the underlying circumstances of the crime. Statistics show that most suspects head straight to the master bedroom during a home invasion. Many homeowners leave their most valuable items in this room. These usually include cash, jewelry and weapons. Although it depends on the degree of the home invasion, the jail term can vary from 5 to 20 years. Anyone with information about this alleged home invasion on South College Drive has a couple of options. They can call Franklin Police at 562-8575, or they can contact Franklin Crime Solvers at 562-8599. Information that leads to an arrest can earn the caller a cash reward. Meantime, some residents are on edge. Police recommend locking their doors and always reporting anything suspicious they see to Franklin Police. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
Rural Residents In Need Of Cable and Internet Services
Residents in Isle of Wright County were surveyed recently regarding the quality of cable services in the area. More than 1,000 county residents responded to the survey and voiced their concerns regarding the price, picture quality, and service received from Charter Communications. But for county residents who live in more rural areas, the concerns were even more pressing. Phillip Bradshaw is a member of the Wright County board of supervisors and is a representative of the Carrsville District. Bradshaw said the problem is residents in the area where he lives and represents are simply unable to obtain the cable and internet services they need. He says the dialog has been ongoing for years with Charter Communications about bringing services to the area but the company feels the population there does not justify the expansion. Charter requires a minimum of 30 homes per square mile before they serve a particular area. There are large portions of the Carrsville District, as well as, other areas of the county that do not meet this requirement. Bradshaw says he wants to see all the members of his district have access to high-speed internet. The only way this is possible for some residents of the district now is to pay for expensive satellite service or purchase wireless broadband cards. Bradshaw says many families in the area are unable to afford the added costs of these premium services. He feels that elderly residents and families with small children are affected the most by this situation. He asks that people remain mindful that their plight is about much more than missing out on entertainment. Seniors are losing out on valuable alerts and information that might come their way over the television or internet. While school-aged children suffer from not having the internet available to support their educational development. A group of representatives from Wright County visited the small town of Wilson, North Carolina to see first-hand how officials there handled a similar problem. In Wilson, a fiber-optic network was used to provide residents with high-speed internet and cable services. County officials are also considering loan and grant options that will provide residents with the services they need. Bradshaw says he and other officials in the county have high expectations for the services their residents will eventually enjoy. He says all options are being considered and county officials are making it a point not to make a decision out of desperation and end up with a service that is inadequate for the needs of affected communities. Bradshaw says the new round of negotiations with Charter comes at a time when their current contract with the county is set to expire. He says there are hopes Charter will agree to make an exception to their thirty homes per square mile standard and extend services to the areas in the county that do not presently possess them. As of yet, other companies have not seemed very open to doing business in the area. Michael Johnson is the county administrator for Southampton. He says that residents in rural areas often complain about internet and cable access. Johnson says he has not personally received many complaints from residents in his county who are not at this time receiving these services. However, Johnson expresses sympathy for the residents of his county without cable and internet services and says it is main intent of his to find a solution to this problem. Charter Communications is the current phone and internet provider for thousands of homes in Southampton County and is the main provider of services in the Isle of Wright, Suffolk, and Franklin areas. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.
New SPSA Agreement Costs Suffolk County $2.23 Million After Years of Free Waste Disposal
The Southeastern Public Service Authority manages waste for multiple counties. Current localities include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Fanklin, and Suffolk. For many years, Suffolk County benefited from a sweetheart deal with the SPSA, resulting in zero trash disposal fees. Now Suffolk County has paid over $2 million in solid waste disposal fees over the past year. SPSA Modifies Its Agreements With Member Communities On January 25, 2018, SPSA entered into new agreements with its members. Various modifications were made to the past agreements, most of them minor. Suffolk County lost its free disposal agreement with these changes, though. In the past, Suffolk hosted a regional landfill in county limits in exchange for no disposal fees. The county unsurprisingly benefited from this agreement far more than SPSA ever did. Prior Deal Let Suffolk County Coast and The SPSA Take On Water However, a deal like this never existed without controversy and consequences. Member communities often criticized the deal as being unfair. Some communities paid SPSA the highest disposal fees in the United States while Suffolk County paid nothing. Also, SPSA itself faced mounting debt that it couldn’t pay off without added revenue. This fact played the biggest role in changing the servicing agreement with Suffolk. Results One Year After The New Agreements Are Implemented At a Board of Directors meeting, SPSA’s executive director announced the authority had paid off its debts in full. Less than a year of disposal fees from Suffolk helped the authority conquer its major debt problem. Suffolk paid $2.23 million in waste disposal charges from January 25 through December 31, 2018. On top of that, SPSA has worked to reduce its costs by relying more heavily on Suffolk’s regional landfill. What Are The Potential Consequences Of These Changes? Just under 35,500 tons of waste were dumped into the Suffolk landfill in 2017. One year later the landfill received over 100,000 tones of waste. It remains to be seen whether the landfill can sustain increased volume moving forward. Regardless, suffolk County receives $4 per ton of waste disposed at the landfill. While the county paid $2.23 million in disposal fees, it should reap almost $500,000 per year in host fees. Will Profits Be Put Ahead of Common Sense Now? The fairly recent change to operating agreements helps Southeastern Public Service Authority fix its financial situation. Nonetheless, some would argue that extra cost-cutting measures do more harm than good. The authority continues to send less waste to the Wheelabrator waste-to-energy plant. Less energy is produced at this plant, and more waste is dumped into Suffolk County’s landfill, which may cause long-term issues. Agreement Changes With Other Communities Not Noteworthy or Major New agreements with the other counties weren’t nearly as drastic. The SPSA and member communities did their usual bargaining to come to an agreement. For years, other member communities paid for their waste disposal. Some years they paid the highest fees in the nation for these services, and those communities were never happy. Most SPSA communities will still pay high rates not seen in other parts of the country. In the end, Southeastern Public Service Authority benefits the most from these changes. The authority went from a mountain of debt to a small cash pile with no debt. Suffolk County may seem like the loser in this deal, but the county benefited from a sweetheart deal for many, many years. Either way, locals shouldn’t expect free waste disposal to return for the county anytime soon. The SPSA appears to have learned its lesson on this one after mounting debt nearly crippled the authority. Visit https://www.tidewaternews.com for more breaking news.