Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 20, 2023 What’s The Benefi t to Saugus? Selectmen delay vote on Win Host Community Agreement modifi cation; seek more fi nancial details By Mark E. Vogler W IN Waste Innovations is willing to accept a revised Host Community Agreement (HCA) with the town that would waive the tipping fee. But WIN offi cials want the contingency clause restored to the agreement, which would enable the company to reduce the tipping fee benefi t to the town if the company is required to spend more than $5-million in capital improvements to extend the life of the ash landfi ll. Reinstating the contingency clause whereby WIN Waste is required to spend more than $5-million in capital payments change from no charge for waste disposal to $2.50 per ton, according to the modifi ed proposed agreement submitted to selectmen at Tuesday night’s public hearing. “While the reduced term of the agreement and the modifi cation to the fi nancial benefi ts to the Town of Saugus are acceptable, without the contingency clause the economics of the project are no longer Saugus selectmen listen as WIN Waste Innovations’ Vice President of Environmental Compliance Jim Connolly explains the company’s counter proposal to the Host Community Agreement approved last fall by selectmen. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) viable, and we are unable to go forward with the changes to the Host Community Agreement approved at the Sept. 24 meeting,” WIN’s Vice President of Environmental Compliance wrote in a Jan. 12 memorandum to selectmen. But Selectmen Jeff rey Cicolini questioned the fi nancial information calculated by WIN in Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Dennis at (857) 249-7882 for details. the company’s latest proposal. “We don’t even know what the value of the agreement would be to the town,” Cicolini said. “The only thing I know is the starting point – that’s the tipping fees,” he said. Ciconlini said he also wants to make sure that WIN complies with the town’s tax agreement with the company. Connolly stressed that Capital improvements made by WIN raise the base under which taxes paid by WIN to the town is calculated. He added that this would result in increased tax revenue to the town. Some town offi cials don’t agree. A majority of selectmen agreed with Cicolini and the board voted to table the ongoing discussions until WIN provides more detailed data on how WIN’s proposal would aff ect the benefi ts to the town. “When you are ready to present it to us, we’ll call anWIN Waste Innovations’ Vice President of Environmental Compliance Jim Connolly answered questions from selectmen on the company’s Host Community Agreement (HCA) other hearing,” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said. Cicolini said he hoped that WIN could provide the information within 30 days so the board could proceed with the HCA and not prolong its consideration. Selectmen last September approved an HCA with WIN Waste Innovations that would enable the company to extend the life of the ash landfi ll adjacent to its trash-to-energy plant on Route 107 by two decades. But the amended HCA which selectmen supported by a slim 3-2 vote at the September meeting included substantial changes – including a provision that the Town of Saugus receive free tipping fees for waste disposal over the life of the agreement. The town currently pays close to $900,000 in annual tipping fees to WIN. Under Cicolini’s amendment approved previously, the town’s benefi ts would not be decreased if WIN was required to pay more than $5-million for major upgrades of the plant. “We were pleased to present a revised proposal that addressed the modifi cations the Selectmen approved, with language that provides significant economic and environmental benefi ts to the Town while making the project economically viable,” Connolly said. “We will work with the Town to gather the additional SELECTMEN | SEE PAGE 7 A trusted family name combined with exceptional craftsmanship & professionalism. Call for a consultation & quote. 64 Years! • Vinyl Siding • Carpentry Work • Decks • Roofing • Replacement Windows • Free Estimates • Fully Licensed • Fully Insured
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