BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- If you've checked your solid waste bill lately and noticed an increase there's a big reason why. 

St. Lawrence County legislators approved a 15% fuel surcharge due to higher fuel prices on June 1, with the increase taking effect June 15.

The resolution to approve the increase says this isn't the first time the county has put a surcharge on fuel in place. 

On Aug. 4, 2008 legislators approved a similar measure to implement a rule surcharge of 9.65% as a result of escalating fuel prices. 

The Board of Legislators also adopted a resolution on April 4, 2011 to reinstate the fuel surcharge, not to exceed 10% at that time. 

Operating as an enterprise fund, the Solid Waste Department relies on the end users to fund the venture through tipping fees. 

When costs to remove waste increase, so do the tipping fees. 

The 15% increase will last for six months, allowing legislators to review the additional fee prior to 2027, officials said. 

The Solid Waste Department currently operates four transfer stations, including in Massena, Ogdensburg, Gouverneur and Star Lake. 

Though solid waste and recycling are dropped at the stations, St. Lawrence County operates under an agreement with the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) to haul solid waste to a facility in Rodman. 

The struggles of the Solid Waste Department have been raised many times this year, with legislators hoping to streamline operations. 

From trailer and truck breakdowns, to a scale replacement taking far longer than expected in Massena, officials continually called for better administration of the department. 

That came to fruition in May when legislators agreed to separate the Solid Waste Department from the administration of the Highway Department. 

In doing so, legislators also agreed to establish and canvas for a director for the Solid Waste Department, just as the Highway Department has. 

Current Director Ellen Hooker said the separation of administration will allow for better oversight, ensuring equipment is updated, maintained and repaired on schedule. 

Earlier this year, Hooker addressed legislators regarding concerns the Massena station was not operating sufficiently. 

A shortage of trailers, compounded with a failing compactor, led to delays in waste removal and material handling. 

Hooker said those pieces of equipment do not have replacement parts that are readily available. 

"The equipment onsite that moves solid waste, called the Builtrite, are prototypes and do not have replaceable parts readily available.  The County has been evaluating other options for equipment and design of the tip floors to compact solid waste & c&d (construction debris) into the trailers to prevent damage to the trailers," Hooker said at the time. 

A trailer shortage was also addressed when legislators approved purchasing five trailers for the Highway Department, which in turn would allow the Solid Waste Department to use them in operation under an agreement. 

Hooker said the five trailers would bolster operations as trailers were out for repair.

"The staff at Solid Waste have been diligently working to keep waste moving out and minimize the amount of waste on the tip floors," she said. 

Replacement equipment and maintenance was also deferred by the county for a number of years, something that has exacerbated conditions. 

Hooker said replacement equipment has been purchased steadily over the last decade after a long period of deferred maintenance. 

Though the transfer stations have been in operation for over 30 years, much of the equipment that was originally installed is still in use. 

County officials say there have been a few minor setbacks but that operations were improving every day. 

Extra taxes in SLC

St. Lawrence County has a history of collecting taxes on goods or services New York State has chosen to exempt.

In New York State, fuels used to heat homes are tax exempt from the state’s 4% sales tax, but in St. Lawrence County residents living outside the city of Ogdensburg pay a 4% tax on all home heating fuels including propane, wood, electricity and fuel oil, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Ogdensburg City School District proposes a 7% tax on home heating fuel for those who live within the district.

Legislators say the tax exists to help offset property taxes. Some argue it’s a more fair way to tax people.

 Over the years some legislators raised concerns that the tax puts an undue burden on those already struggling to keep up with the cost of living increases and inflation.

On several occasions of the past decade legislators have debated the merits of the tax. Former St. Lawrence County Chairman Kevin Acres warned that eliminating the taxes would lead to a massive hike on property taxes. 

At the same time outgoing legislator John Burke questioned if the percentage could be adjusted or if perhaps temporary relief could be extended in the wake of rising fuel prices, however the tax has remained in place.

Only 15 of New York’s 62 counties charge a home heating tax.

In May, St. Lawrence County legislators formally sought state permission to increase the occupancy tax by 2%, a move that was met with resistance by some board members. The tax is not required by the state.

Although North Country This Week could not find an exhaustive list, it appears the majority of counties charge that tax with the highest being Albany County at 6%. Some counties, like Hamilton, do not charge one at all.

St. Lawrence County currently charges 3%, now and will likely seek state approval to raise it to 5%.

The measure passed 8-5 during the May 4 Full Board meeting, with Legislators John Gennett, Rita Curran, Jim Reagen, Ben Hull and Bill Sheridan all voting against the measure. 

Ultimately, the resolution supports Assembly and Senate bills to amend tax law in relation to increasing the occupancy tax in St. Lawrence County.

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