Following a review prompted by cost concerns last month, the Chenango County Board of Supervisors approved the revised landfill tipping fee schedule. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Following a review prompted by landfill cost concerns last month, the Chenango County Board of Supervisors approved the revised landfill tipping fee schedule.

County officials had previously returned the proposed schedule to the PW Committee to examine line items that appeared disproportionately high.

During the September meeting, the committee reviewed the schedule to justify expenses driven by high daily rental costs for wood chippers and the removal of leachate from county landfill sites.

Dustin Hendricks, deputy director of public works, said daily rental expenses for wood chippers were straining the transfer station, noting the strain is driven largely by arborists hauling in heavy truckloads of brush instead of processing materials on-site.

Hendricks said the increased rates will help offset equipment expenses and compensate for a limited work force.

"We have to raise our costs to remain self-sustaining," said Hendricks.

Town of German Supervisor Patricia Pittsley stated there may be funding available to help offset wood chipper rental costs.

Pittsley also noted that the fee structure lacked distinction between residential and commercial users and called for greater clarity.

Hendricks responded that some commercial businesses register as residents and especially if they are owner operated and they don’t want to let them in free if they’re the primary cause of the pile of the brush.

He noted the final fees will be clear in the distinction between residential and commercial users.

Officials also raised concerns over the municipal solid waste fee, stating it could be higher yet. Smyrna Supervisor Michael Khoury said that if the cost were raised from $85 to $250 “it could lead to unintended consequences.”

The approved rate changes include:

Bag rate: $4 per bag

Asbestos: $250 per ton

Fluorescent bulbs: $1 each

Antifreeze was scheduled to increase but will remain at $2 per gallon.

Following reconsideration, the proposed fee for brush hauled by carloads was eliminated. Hendricks said the determination of what qualifies as a carload will be left to the scale operators' judgment.

Additional 2027 rate adjustments include:

Weighed municipal solid waste (MSW): $85 per ton

Furniture: $10 per item

Car and truck tires: $5 per tire

Batteries, scrap metal, recyclables, electronics, paint, and used motor oil will remain free of charge.