Politics & Government

Mayor Defends Town's Incinerator Plans

Also, council approve township's participation in 9/11 National Moment of Remembrance.

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council breezed through its regular meeting Tuesday in about a half-hour, approving a number of resolutions and ordinances. Before the session adjourned, however, Mayor James Barberio asked for the floor to address criticism he received—and statements he described as "irresponsible"—concerning plans for the town's incinerator.

On June 21, the council gave unanimous approval to a resolution contracting Synagro to redesign and operate the town's now-offline incineration plant on Edwards Road. When it goes on line in 2014, the facility will manage biosolids from the township's wastewater treatment system.

The agreement between Parsippany and Synagro is for 20 years, according to Barberio. The township will receive $1 million over three years for hosting the plant, and Synagro will spend $60 million for the incinerator's upgrade. The company also will pay $100,000 per year to Parsippany and will charge the town the discounted price of $79.95 per ton for treating its sludge.

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The mayor said he received an email from a citizen who expressed concern over whether the incinerator will pose a threat to the environment and to Parsippany residents.

"The member of the public made a blanket statement saying the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is no longer issuing permits for incinerators, and further opined that the reason the NJDEP is no longer issuing such permits is due to the effects that incinerators may have on the public's health, safety and welfare," Barberio said. "As a preliminary matter, the statement that the NJDEP is no longer issuing permits for incinerators is flat-out wrong."

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He asserted that state and federal regulations allow for the installation of incinerators. The mayor also noted that the number of permits granted is limited to ensure that plants meet the "extreme, stringent ... risk-based standards" for incinerator emissions mandated by the federal government and the NJDEP.   

"It's not an easy permit to secure, nor is it a simple process," he said. "The incinerator must not pose any risk to the environment or health and welfare of the public, period."

The risk and cost, Barberio said, will be borne by Synagro.

"If the project does pose a risk to the public health, safety or welfare, or to the environment in general, the permit will not be issued," he insisted, adding that the technology-based federal requirements are even tougher than the state's.

According to Barberio, the technology Synagro employs meets the federal and state standards "and is the preferred means of providing incineration by the NJDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

"The fact that Synagro proposed a new incinerator rather than a retrofit is even more of a benefit from an environmental perspective," he said.

The mayor said that town representatives and Synagro met with NJDEP officials more than 18 months ago to discuss Parsippany's incinerator project, which was "well received by the NJDEP."

Barberio never identified the person who sent him the critical email, but Democratic Council candidate Annelise Catanzaro told Patch after the meeting that she is among those with concerns regarding the project.

"I ask questions with the intent to fully open discussion on the topic, since I believe it's an important step in making a long-term decision like this incinerator project," she said, noting that the public was not made aware earlier of the contract length.

Barberio disagreed with that statement, saying that calls for requests for proposals were made publicly.

Catanzaro pointed to the Synagro deal as an example of a decision she said "the mayor made in a vacuum."

"Instead of including the expertise and counsel of the Environmental Advisory Committee (which includes scientists and Ph.D.s who are residents in the community)," she said, "the mayor presented the proposal and the council was poised to vote in favor of the plan without question or discussion."

The mayor scoffed at Catanzaro's comments, noting that the plans for the incinerator began when his predecessor, Democratic Mayor Michael Luther, was in office. 

"It didn't seem to be an issue for her then," Barberio said. "She's making this political."

Catanzaro disagreed and called the mayor's way of handling dissent "defensive and unproductive."

"This is not about Catanzaro vs. Barberio, Republican vs. Democrat," she said. "This is about making the most effective, wise decision for our community."

Barberio asserted that proceeding with the Synagro incinerator plan is wise.

"Previous administrations drove the plant to ruin. Past mayors didn't want to fix it," he said. "I'm taking the bull by the horns and fixing it. If [Synagro doesn't] meet the stringent standards, they will be denied and the project will not go forward."

In other business, the Town Council passed a resolution calling for Parsippany to take part in the National Moment of Remembrance for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. 

A number of other resolutions also were approved:

  • a certification of compliance with a state requirement to conduct a yearly audit
  • an agreement to participate in Morris County's Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government Planning efforts, which are funded by the state Office of Homeland Security
  • a request for the director of the Division of Local Government Services to okay the addition of $26,900 received from the state Department of Transportation to the 2011 fiscal budget as a special revenue item and to allow those funds to be added to the budget as an expenditure earmarked for the Safe Route to School program 

Council members gave unanimous approval to four ordinances that received their first readings. One ordinance would amend the Township Code by adding a section intended to establish water connection fees for 2011. The others would establish No Parking Fire Zones at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 3769 Route 46, at 5 Eastmans Road and at 260 Walsh Drive. The ordinances are scheduled for a second reading on Sept. 20.

The Township Council holds its next agenda meeting on Sept. 13. The next regular session takes place Sept. 20. The meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and the public is invited.


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