“I have no idea where we are going to be when it’s time to get our money next year,” said Randy Raymer, chairperson of the Upper Platte River Solid Waste District (UPRSWD) board at last Wednesday’s meeting.
“Our money” refers to the funding model that allows towns with populations under 4,000 to receive 100 percent total project funding for the regionalization mandates that require towns to build transfer stations. This reduces the overall number of landfills in Wyoming by requiring the small towns to transfer their waste to a larger, regional landfill. Over the past several months, issues regarding funding have grown and been resolved in the Valley. The population served by a transfer station in the Valley is “well under 4,000,” Raymer said. Saratoga should be returning to this 100 percent funding model, which allows for 75 percent max grant, 25 percent max loan.
Raymer is concerned with the availability of state funds as Wyoming news outlets continue to report revenue problems. “We are at the end of our site life. In some form, we’re going to build a transfer station. Period,” Raymer said of potential problems, however he remained confident that the funding would follow through—at least, for the Platte Valley.
Because the current site cannot be used much longer, Raymer maintained that if funding gets tight, the Platte Valley transfer station should be considered a priority among projects of its kind. “We are under deadline, basically,” Raymer continued.
In the meantime, UPRSWD members continue to deliberate materials needed to maintain the landfill site. The Wyoming Department of Transportation, among other entities, are willing to give away free rotor mill for patch work on the roads leading in to the landfill. The fact that it is free naturally presents an advantage, but the uneven texture made Raymer consider that gravel would ultimately be better. If gravel is unavailable, the board determined that rotor mill mixed with chip seal or oil would work if it was laid on a warm day.
The UPRSWD will have their next regular meeting Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at Saratoga Town Hall.
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