Officials Defend Deal With Sewage Treatment Firm

As expected, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council unanimously approved Tuesday night a resolution codifying a . Equally unsurprising: The vote didn't escape vocal criticism.

The Synagro pact resolution was part of a number of items held within a consent agenda, a group of matters considered non-controversial and voted upon all at once. This particular agenda included resolutions extending Parsippany's involvement with the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council, authorizing the use of $146,000 in open space trust fund dollars for an interior restoration of the historic Bowlsby-DeGelleke House at 320 Baldwin Road and canceling a number of uncollectible checks and accounts receivable.

Under the 20-year agreement, which has been in the works since 2009, officials say Synagro will shoulder all costs related to construction surrounding the $60 million upgrade of Parsippany's incinerator plant. The company will handle any fines levied and all insurance coverage.

Synagro will pay the township a $1 million host fee along with an annual plant rental fee of $100,000 per year. In exchange, Parsippany will pay Synagro to handle its waste at a discounted rate of $79.95 per ton up to a maximum of 16,500 tons. Additionally, the town will receive $2.50 for every ton of waste Synagro processes for other municipalities.

The deal hinges upon Synagro winning approval and permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Town attorneys have stated that in order to secure these permits, a plant must pose zero threat to the community.

Prior to the vote, town resident Michele Gaynor said the Synagro bill should not be part of the omnibus consent agenda. 

Gaynor said she did not believe statements that Synagro would pose no threat to Parsippany residents. 

"What about reports of emission problems?" she asked, saying that claims against the company's operations are being made in Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. "How about when they're trucking in wastes in diesel trucks? What is coming out and will come out of [its smokestacks]?"

Town attorney John Inglesino said officials have conducted a comprehensive review of Synagro and its operations, history and financial obligations. 

"The view of the administration is that there was nothing to cause discomfort at all," he said, adding that Mayor James Barberio met with the town's Environmental Advisory Council this week.

Township Council candidate Annelise Catanzaro stood and added her voice to Gaynor's call for more discussion of the Synagro issue.

Council President Michael dePierro noted that there already have been "two public hearings and lengthy deliberations."

"We've given it due process," he insisted.

Mayor James Barberio directed his comment to Catanzaro. 

"Why wasn't this an issue in 2009?" he asked. "You didn't make it an issue with the former mayor [Michael Luther], only with me. You ran [for council on the Democratic ticket] with him."

Neither was there an issue made of the matter as of Sept. 20, the deadline for written public testimony, according to Town Clerk Elesha Johnson.

Ultimately, the Synagro resolution remained on the consent agenda and won unanimous council approval.