MONTICELLO  — Village Trustee John Barbarite discussed the impact of garbage in the Village of Monticello during their meeting Wednesday night. He mentioned the tipping fees, which increased from $110 to $176.50 on January 1.

“These tipping fees are going up to $150 for garbage,” said Barbarite. “A large part of this fee we’re paying for recyclables that are mixed with the garbage because it’s estimated between 80 to 90 percent of the residents are not recycling. We have to step up recycling efforts, and we have to get the word out that garbage is a cost factor.”

Barbarite also noted that they want to keep cost as low as possible for residents and implement a bag issue to prevent the trash from blowing around the streets “which again is costing the residents in decreased property value”.

“The aesthetics is an issue, people want to feel proud of the Village they live in and when there’s garbage all over the streets and bags sticking over the tops of cans ... we’re certainly hurting our image,” said Barbarite.

He stressed the avoidance of enforcement until residents are informed of why the enforcement is happening in the first place.

It was brought up that seniors living on their own are usually putting out less than a can.

“We might want to consider reducing the rate for senior citizens who reside alone in their own home,” noted Barbarite.

Trustee Theodore Hutchins shared the sentiment, thinking it was an “excellent” idea.

“I would probably go even further; if you’re a senior and that’s your [own] home, to give them a reduced rate.”

Village Attorney Michael Sussman brought up that Greenway Environmental Services in Kingston could help in addressing the issues brought up by Barabrite.

The owners, Shabazz Jackson and Josephine Papagni were cited by Sussman to have gone to the Vassar Campus in Poughkeepsie and “reduced the waste flow 85 percent and increased composting and reusable recycling tremendously.”

“[They received] significant state grants and are working for municipalities around the Hudson region,” recounted Sussman. “Shabazz is a close friend of mine and I think it would be a really excellent idea for [Village Manager] James [Snowden] and the Mayor [Rochelle] to meet with Shabazz and speak about the issues you’re [Barbarite] referring to.”

He said he is certain that the waste flow issues the Village is dealing with can be addressed and Greenway [via consultation] would know how to do it.

Sussman stated that he’ll drop Greenway an email informing that the Board may be calling them.

Swearing in the Surgeon

Associate Justice David Maho of Monticello swore in Mayer Rosenberg as the new Police Surgeon for Monticello.

Physician’s Assistant Mayer Rosenberg was presented to the board of trustees as the recently hired Police Surgeon for the Monticello village and police force. 

During the swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Massey and Associate Justice David Maho discussed the crucial role the Police Surgeon will play in preserving the health of MPD officers and their families, especially those who have been injured while performing their duties.

“Out of all the physicians that I’ve had, he’s [Mayer] is very knowledgable,” accredited Maho following the induction.