Crescent-News.com - Bids opened for landfill expansion

By TODD HELBERG

In the discussion and planning stages for years, Defiance County"s landfill expansion turned from words to action Thursday when bids were opened for the project.

Three bidders offered estimates for the first six-acre expansion on 78 acres due south of the existing landfill. The last area on the current landfill is expected to be filled in December, according to Defiance County Environmental Services director Tim Houck.

The lower bidder for general work was Melco Inc., Archbold, at $1,739,756. That firm also had the low alternate bid ($,620) for such things as topsoil removal, fence construction and surface water diversion.

Other bids were received from R.P. Jergens, Vandalia, $1,820, for general work, $271,016 for the alternate bid; and Comanco Environmental Corp., Plant City, Fla., $3,,016 for general work, $343,925 for the alternate bid.

The engineer"s estimate was $1,767,607 for the general work and $,000 for the alternate bid.

"This is really a good deal for Defiance County and northwest Ohio," said Houck of the impending expansion. "We will be able to provide these services for the next 100 years."

Commissioners took the bids under advisement and will await a recommendation from the project engineer, Mannik & Smith Group, Maumee, before awarding a contract. Work is expected to begin this spring or summer.

A requirement to construct the facility with the best available technology means the expanded landfill will include a plastic liner and other environmental protection measures.

Expansion will initially occur in six-acre sections every 18-24 months, Houck said.

Discussion and planning for the project began seven years ago and has involved close communication among the Ohio EPA, the county"s environmental attorney (Eastman & Smith, Toledo) and Mannik & Smith Group.

The planning included a lengthy permit process with Ohio EPA, which finally issued a permit-to-install in December.

Planning and the permit process alone have cost about $1.5 million, according to Houck.

County officials, who took over the landfill"s operation in 4 from a local company, have been putting money aside in recent years for the expansion from landfill gate receipts. Houck said the county has accumulated approximately $8 million for the expansion.

"Past boards of county commissioners and this one really should be commended," said Houck. "We had planned for expansion when we took the landfill over."

The county is also required by EPA to fund closure and post-closure funds for the landfill, even though that now won"t occur for many years.

Despite those funding requirements, commissioners have not significantly raised rates since assuming control of the landfill, and no increases are planned for the initial expansion.

"Past boards of commissioners and this board have held rates," said Commissioner Otto Nicely. "The landfill has been very beneficial for residents and industry."