Recycling site will close due to illegal dumping
Superintendent of sanitation: Move necessary after ‘chronic abuse’
GLASTONBURY — After years of illegal dumping at a satellite recycling center, the town council decided to shut it down.
Closing the facility next to Glastonbury Fire Co. No. 4 was a tough call, but justified given the chronic abuse, Superintendent of sanitation Michael J. Bisi said of the council’s vote Tuesday.
The center, which Bisi said will be closed by March 5, was meant to provide a convenient place for residents to drop off cans, bottles, newspaper and other recyclables, but illegal dumping has increased since the satellite recycling program began in 1977.
People have discarded furniture, auto parts, construction materials, television sets and other items next to the recycling bins. They also have thrown bedding fouled with human waste into the bins.
Another recycling center behind town hall will remain open, Bisi said. Illegal dumping has been a problem there, too, he said, but not at the level of the fire station site.
Entire loads of recyclables sent to the regional recycling facility have been rejected due to contamination with items that aren’t recyclable.
Some rejected loads are handled as trash, which the town, and taxpayers in turn, pay for in $91 per ton tipping fees.
Also, town crews have had to dispose of bulky items and other waste left near the bins, resulting in “many hundreds of hours of unproductive labor and equipment costs,” Bisi wrote in a recent report to Town Manager Richard Johnson.
Regular pickup of the illegally dumped junk has been necessary, Bisi wrote in a recent report, because items left at the site would attract more dumping.
Some people have dropped off items such as mirrors and other glass items in the mistaken belief that they are recyclables, but others have intentionally dumped items simply to avoid disposal fees, Bisi wrote.
Over the years, signs, press releases, warning letters and police enforcement have failed to stop the abuse, the report says.
Installing cameras at the two sites would cost a total of $30,000 and would require staff time to monitor, Bisi wrote.
“Although our overall recycling tonnage may be higher, the significant associated increased labor and equipment certainly outweighs this effort,” Bisi wrote in recommending that the Fire Co. 4 satellite center be closed.
“We will continue to monitor the town hall site and evaluate its future accordingly,” he wrote.
Lucille Widun, 87, of Enfield. It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother. She passed i nto Eternal Life on February 13, 2021. Born i n Hartford on March 21, 1933 to t he l ate Sebastian and Mary (Attardo) Miano. Lucille was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. Nothing was more important to her than her family and her faith. She was predeceased by her husband Mitchell A. Widun on October 19, 2013. They were blessed with 59 years of marriage. She r etired from Traveler I nsurance to t end t o her mother's needs. Through life she enjoyed bowling, time spent at the lake, and spending time with her growing family and friends. She knew her football- a dedicated Patriot's f an f or many years, until Tom Brady l eft f or Tampa Bay. Wherever Brady went she would follow. He was her honorary 5th son and she got to watch him win his 7th ring! She l eaves behind to mourn her l oss her sons, Mitchell R. of Southwick, Stephen of Enfield, Jeffrey of Vernon, and William ( Elizabeth) of Enfield; nine grandchildren, Stacey, Corey, Amanda ( David) White, Todd ( Leila), Jacqueline ( J ereme), Vinette, Elizabeth, Stephanie, and J ordyn; six great grandchildren, I sabella, J uliette, Leah, Henry, Aurora, and Chase; her brother, Salvatore "Bill y" ( Patricia) Miano of Enfield; and two god children, Joseph Miano and Lynelle (Miano) Palencia and t heir f amilies. She also l eaves her f ormer daughters-in-law, Corrine Scheicher and Jane Widun. Lucille was also predeceased by her brother, Joseph Miano and her grandson, Kevin Widun. Calling hours will be on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:30 - 10:30 am at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield, CT 06082. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am at Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Rd., Enfield, CT. Burial will be held on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Southington, CT at 1:00 pm. Our f amily would l i ke t o extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Darren O'Neill and Gina from Enfield Medical Assoc. for their never ending care and compassion shown to our Mother and family throughout t he years. To l eave online condolences, please visit www.Leetestevens.com
The Steelers plan on having quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back for an 18th season. Team president Art Rooney II released a statement Wednesday saying he and Roethlisberger have met to figure out a way to ease the financial pressure caused by Roethlisberger’s contract. Roethlisberger, who turns 39 next month, carries a $41 million salary cap number for 2021 and is due a $15 million roster bonus March 20. Rooney called the meeting with Roethlisberger “productive.” The Steelers went 12-4 and wonthe AFC North in 2020 but faded down the stretch. They lost five of their final six games following an 11-0 start, including a playoff loss at home to the Browns in which Roethlisberger threw four interceptions. The Steelers are facing a serious cap crunch and have already started to overhaul the coaching staff and the roster. Still, Rooney expressed optimism that the door remains open for the Steelers to remain competitive during Roethlisberger’s long tenure. “We would like to have (Roethlisberger) back to help us win a championship,” Rooney said.