Trash agency board OKs $1.7M in equipment buys

TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. » The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency board has adopted a capital plan that’s expected to fund about $1.7 million worth of equipment purchases over the next five years.

The planned purchases include:

• In 2021, a tanker for $70,000 and dump trailer for $180,000 in 2021.

• in 2022, a roll-off truck for $185,000; a waste handler loader for $300,000; and a skid steer loader for $80,000.

• In 2023, an excavator for $175,000; a waste handler loader for $250,000; and an infeed belt for the materials recovery facility for $100,000.

• In 2024, blacktop for $350,000.

• In 2025, an operations truck for $45,000.

The Resource Recovery Agency has spent about $1.5 million on equipment this year.

“We were behind on so many things when it came to equipment, infrastructure,” said agency Operations Director Charlie Whittaker. “We have done a tremendous amount. We [now] have a lot of backup equipment that we never ever had before.”

Agency purchases this year have included a dump trailer (for $172,792), a tractor ($141,067), two waste handler loaders ($296,912 and $49,642), a utility vehicle ($22,753), fencing ($30,481), a bulldozer ($153,000), a roller ($151,500), an automotive lift ($7,648), a trommel screen ($271,950) and a portable stacker ($219,000).

Agency officials said the cost of the dump trailer should be made up through savings in transporting sludge.

“In order to do that, you need aluminum trailers,” said board Chairman Fred Wadnola. “You can’t do that in our steel trailers.”