Avon Revisits Options for Where to Put Debris [VIDEO]

Initially, the plan was to bring the woodchips from the Oct. 29 storm-related debris to Dunning Sand & Gravel in Farmington for free, as per a verbal agreement with the owners, but because Dunning is now charging, Avon is also looking at other options.

"We're exploring what they call the gravesite, the final resting place of the chips," Avon Public Works Director Bruce Williams said. "After the storm, I had contacted Dunning and spoke to Ben Dunning with regards to taking the chips and at that time, he had said they would be able to take the chips without charge."

The influx of woodchips and debris became overwhelming within a couple of days, Bill Neagus, Dunning Sand and Gravel spokesperson, said, and it became clear "that the amount of brush and wood chips was overwhelming, much, much more than we anticipated." The machine Dunning uses to grind brush takes 200 to 300 gallons of fuel a day to run and is operated by three or four staff members, so the process "is quickly becoming cost prohibitive," according to Neagus.

"Therefore, to cover our costs we began charging $10 per load of raw brush, or $5 for a load of wood chips," Neagus wrote in an e-mail to Patch. "This equates to $2 a yard while Dunning Sand & Gravel’s competitors are charging $4 and $5 per yard."

The initial $1.4 million approved appropriation for the debris removal project had the cost of disposal marked at zero. That was the estimate for 100,000 cubic yards, which is how much Michael's cleared from town curbs as of Sunday. The Board of Finance approved an additional appropriation of $850,000 on Nov. 23, before the Thanksgiving weekend, because Michael's estimated there was closer to 150,000 cubic yards of debris.

If the town still choses Dunning as the disposal site for the ground debris, it could cost the town $50,000 to $100,000 more than orginally budgeted, Williams said. That was factored into the additional $850,000.

"We haven't determined what option we're going to take to dispose of those chips yet," Williams said. "I clearly understand things change, but you have to remember you made a commitment.

While many members on the Town Council and Board of Finance expressed frustration with the situation, Councilman Doug Evans (R) expressed sympathy for Dunning.

“If they accepted debris for free for a few days, we shouldn’t lose sight of that, as well," Evans said at the special meeting.

The town could instead apply for a permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to spread up to six inches of the woodchips on the M.H. Rhodes site, which is six acres. That would amount to 6,000 cubic yards of woodchips and leave 19,000 to 25,000 the town would have to dispose of elsewhere.

Williams is researching whether there are farms or other companies that would take the balance of debris should Avon get the DEEP permit.

The town could also pay up to $100,000 to have the debris chipped a second time to make commercial grade natural mulch, which could be used on town properties, be offered to residents or sold. This option may not be reimbursable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA can reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible expenses for storm-related debris removal.

Williams is still reviewing quotes for the different options.

He said Nov. 23 he expects Michael's to finish removing debris from town right of ways by the end of the week.