Rising trash fees could spike budget

One more factor to consider as council puts together its new spending plan, By Stacy Maldonado Franklin — As of June, the Borough of Franklin, among other towns in Sussex County, could see a 54 percent increase in fees for hauling its trash away, as the per ton price tag may jump from $79 to as high as $122, said Franklin’s borough administrator Richard Wolak. The Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) in Lafayette takes Franklin’s trash. Its administrator, John Hatzelis, has said that a loss of revenues at the landfill is likely to lead to a rate hike as soon as this calendar year, Wolak said. For Franklin, which typically sends almost 4,000 tons a year to the county site, this equates to a possible increase of $131,340 annually. Breaking it down, Wolak said Franklin could be spending an additional $99,832 for the remaining seven months of 2010, from June through December. “This is an unanticipated cost. We didn’t budget or plan for it. Any increase will have a significant impact on this calendar year,” not to mention a possible $171,140 increase for 2011, he said. How to cover the cost Budget planners will look at curtailing some current expense or personnel costs, or increasing taxes. “It is unfortunate that the unexpected burden could fall on the taxpayers,” said Wolak. Franklin could use another contractor to haul its trash elsewhere, but council members believe that none would end up being more cost effective, even with the anticipated rate hikes. Hatzelis cites a potential cut in state-funded aid one of several reasons the landfill’s fees may rise. He agreed that the cost could go up to $122 per ton, “but we are not 100 percent sure. It might not go up at all.” He also noted that the rate has fluctuated over the years. In 1996, it had hit $118 a ton, but went down over the last 14 years. “We are working with the county and state representatives to get an answer prior to June 1,” said Hatzelis. “I understand Franklin’s concerns and frustrations, but this will apply to the entire county.” Franklin will introduce its preliminary budget during a meeting on Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the borough hall.