THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 Page 7 COMPANY | FROM PAGE 1 “Obviously, we’d like to continue to use the site,” Connolly told subcommittee members. “It’s convenient and adjacent to the plant,” he said. Connolly also said the company has some concerns about the long-term environmental effects of trucking the ash offsite and the rising fuel costs connected with that should the ash landfill be closed permanently after 2024. Connolly’s comments about the capacity of the ash landfill and the company’s hopes beyond 2024 prompted a discussion of committee members’ expectations and requests of WIN Waste Innovations should the company seek expansion of the ash landfill. “The future of the monofill – that’s why we started this group,” said Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, who chairs the subcommittee with Board of Health Chair William Heffernan. Cogliano noted that the committee has been meeting for about six months and is approaching the point “where we say what we want.” He also wanted to know whether extending the life of the landfill would be beneficial to the town. That will be the most significant issue that the subcommittee will deal with. Cogliano invited all of the committee members, town officials and residents viewing Wednesday night’s (May 26) meeting to share their concerns and hopes for the outcome of the subcommittee’s work. WIN Waste Innovations, formerly Wheelabrator Saugus – owners of the trash-to-energy incinerator on Route 107 – is a new company with a new slogan: “Performance for the Planet.” Wheelabrator Saugus was one of 10 waste industry companies that joined together under the WIN Waste Innovations brand. Subcommittee calls for more air quality testing If it’s WIN Waste Innovations’ intention to continue with the ash landfill after 2024, committee member Peter Delios said, he would like to see testing continue to make sure the public’s health is protected. “If we can come as close as we can to getting clean quality air out of your stacks and minimize the noise.” Connolly said that WIN Waste Innovations has already taken a significant step in eliminating the noise problem by investing $750,000 in the plant’s new silencer. The recent test results show that the plant is meeting all of the public health requirements, be included in any plan the subcommittee develops after talks with the company. Cogliano emphasized that “the NOx level is always Number One” as far as he is concerned. He cited air quality, health and safety of Saugus residents as his top priorities. “I’d like to see the air quality for my granddaughter better” than what Cogliano’s parents and grandparents and his generations have had to deal with, Cogliano added. Saugus Fire Department Lt. and Precinct 8 Town Meeting SO WHAT IS THE FUTURE? Members of the Board of Health’s Wheelabrator Subcommittee broached several issues of what the town expects of the trash-to-energy plant on Route 107, which was formerly known as Wheelabrator Saugus before it was taken over by WIN Waste Innovations. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Connolly added. Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Corinne Riley said the company needs to keep upgrading the facility as much as possible. Jackie Mercurio, one of the toughest plant critics on the subcommittee, said she wants to see the company conduct more monitoring of potential environmental effects from the plant in addition to the noise. “It’s hard to move forward and come up with an agreement without a comprehensive health study,” she said. Mercurio noted the last health study was issued by the state in 2016 and “it’s definitely time to do another one.” Selectman Debra Panetta was one of several town officials who called for more air quality monitoring to be done. “We need to know whether we’re breathing safe air around that facility,” Panetta said. Cogliano asked Connolly if the company could look into the possibility of providing more air quality monitoring. Connolly said he would. But Connolly stressed that any tests that have been done showed the plant was well within the standards of acceptable levels. Selectman Panetta and several other officials cited concerns about the plant’s nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. “Is Wheelabrator Saugus going to be able to meet nitrogen oxide levels without purchasing the credits?” Panetta asked. Selectman Michael Serino said he shares Panetta’s concerns. “I think purchasing credits is not the answer,” he said. “We need studies done and tests done before we can consider expanding the landfill. Personally, I’m not in favor of it,” Serino said. Can company help town get a third fire station? Cogliano said he welcomes public comment on all phases of the company and plant’s future in Saugus and that it would Member William E. Cross III, another subcommittee member, said he would like to see any agreement between the Town of Saugus and WIN Waste Innovations involve “things for the Fire Department.” Cross said he hopes the company would assist the town in efforts to build a third fire station that would serve residents and businesses on the west side of town. “We definitely need it,” Cross said of the third fire station, adding that COMPANY | SEE PAGE 11
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