       Stop The Garbage
                  Now !
             Don't make a dump out of Salem!

Facts & Issues

                           We are here to give the people the truth!

The following, gives question to the motives and legality of all parties involved. If you don't think you will be affected, you will be!

                                                             Forward

Northside Carting was awarded a contract by the City to purchase and re-build the Salem Transfer Station.  The contract was awarded based upon a Request for Proposals - not a bidding procedure.  Do you ask yourself how this is possible? We all did! The new facility is not just a clean-up job "for your benefit" with "minor modifications," as many residents and business owners were led to believe, it's a major development with major consequences!

It certainly appears that Northside carting violated its application with the DEP by filing for a "minor modification" in its permit. It does not appear to be a minor modification, as "any" expansion of the building's "fiscal size" to accomodate an increase in tonnage would have required a "major modification" assessment, and as indicated in the DEP's regulations. By doing so, NSC has circumvented the required "Environmental Impact Study" that would have protected your rights!

The present transfer station collects building materials, yard waste and the like and currently operates at 21.6 tons per day. The planned facility will generate odor smelling garbage, up to 1 million pounds (500 tons peak) per day, from surrounding cities and towns. That's 2 million pounds, round trip through your neighborhoods. The DEP's recommendation is that the tipping floor, alone, of a 500 ton facility be 14,000 sq. feet.   The entire building is less than 9,700 sq. feet.  Should this not be a concern? It is very much a concern, as is the Board of Health's decision to move this project forward!

Annual daily averages are going down every year then why do we need the facility expanded to a maximum of 500 tons per day?

2004	72.8 average tons per day
2005	73.9 average tons per day
2006	51.6 average tons per day
2007	25.4 average tons per day
2008	21.8 average tons per day

So why is the proposed facility only planned to be 9,600 sq. ft? Because keeping it under 10,000 sq. ft. has somehow allowed NSC to avoid going before the Salem Planning Board which could have, again, protected your rights! That's right, the deal is for an undersized facility to be built on an undersized parcel to allow an increase of up to five times the current permitted tonnage and close to twenty-five times the reported actual tonnage. Bottom line, the deal was designed to keep the project away from your Planning Board, and subsequently from you!

Do residents and business owners, alike, not have the right to question this absurd proposal to put a transfer station in their back yard? Absolutely, they have the right but have not been given that right to do so! There's a school, health facility, gym and many residences within 500 feet of this property. How wouldn't they be affected and why shouldn't they have the right to speak? If airborne odors, particulate matter and traffic are of concern to local businesses and residents, then why would the city wish to continue pursuing an unfavorable solution? It's a great question to ask your city's officials!

Usage and ownership of this property by a private company as a transfer station is a direct violation of city zoning ordinances, while any increase in the size of this facility would violate the city's own code that limits the site to 100 tons. So why did the Health Board allow an increase to 500 tons? DEP regulations state that no school, health facility or residence shall be within 500 feet, and there are additional set back requirements that severely limit the expansion of this transfer station and would likely require Planning Board approval!

It's against the law to expand this facility and/or continue to allow it to operate as it is! For more information on your rights, go to www.ma.gov/dep.

                                                          Our Health

Transferring solid waste from surrounding communities for processing here in Salem may be a very unhealthy decision! Don't we already have enough cancer causing pollution from the power plant? Garbage from households, companies and construction sites, including (although NOT ALLOWED) asbestos, PCP's, oil and other toxic debris will be piled up and processed here, with a dispersion stack to send airborne odors, particles and contaminates over our homes, yards and businesses. Trucks will be releasing swill on to our roadways, while polluting the air with diesel fumes and particulate matter. Disease carrying rodents, seagulls and insect populations will rise creating additional health risks that may affect you, residents and businesses alike.

The new facility is required by the DEP to be more than 200 feet from the river front and retain a 100 foot set back from all of its boundaries, and they are not. In doing so, they may pollute the area, encroaching on wells, wetlands - protected areas - and the underground eco-system. A violation of DEP requirements! Moreover, the new facility would also be violating a 50 foot setback requirement from Swampscott Road and other easements or rights of way.  Such violation of setbacks encroaches on all adjoining businesses and roadways and is a violation of our rights, our health and our safety.

Northside Carting has already admitted that they can not control the direction of airborne contaminates, so why are we going to allow this to happen in our city?  Who will control all of this? Isn't the city's Board of Health already overloaded with work, as they admitted.  So why should the city increase its risk and liability and ultimately the health and safety of its citizens? Clearly an expense we can not afford! The power plant, and now this! Isn't our health more important? Should Salem become known as a "Dirty City"? What do you think this will do to tourism, your health and property values?

All state and federal regulations are created with the intent of protecting its citizens, so why are such regulations ignored by our governing bodies. Ask yourself why, and speak up! This a question that will not only impact your health but your pocket!

                                                         Our Traffic

The current transfer station is located at the gateway into Salem near the busiest roads- Highland Avenue, Traders Way, First Street, Swampscott Road and Marlborough Road- and near the many condos, homes and businesses which are increasingly burdened by the increase of traffic. Increasing the magnitude of such a facility to 1 million pounds (500 tons) per day will surely impact traffic. That's 2 million pounds round trip through our neighborhoods. Will this not impact pedestrians, bikers and drivers? One 65 foot super trailer trash truck is the equivalent of 4 or 5 vehicles. That's an entire light change! Is this how our residents and businesses should be burdened?

Northside Carting's traffic study did not account for leaf and brush disposal trips or for white appliance recycling and Saturday business activity, mid-day peak hour traffic volumes or the increased congestion due to longer wait times caused by large diesel trucks that have difficulty accelerating and decelerating.  Furthermore, the study does not take into account any bottle neck potential, as trucks will arrive at undesignated times. The report also incorrectly uses traffic data entering the site and suggests that the same "size and type" of vehicles will be entering and exiting the site. Not correct. The majority of traffic over the current 21.6 daily tonnage volume will come from large diesel polluting trucks. Air pollution and safety risks will certainly increase!

Other useful information: Currently, 6.5% of vehicles going west on Swampscott Road towards Highland Avenue are large diesel trucks. This is a very high number when the average of large diesel trucks on most roads is 2% or less. The study doesn't explain this either. We have a frightening number of diesel trucks coming from Aggregate Industries, the chipping and composting company, etc. so what kind of impact will this have on us as a community? NSC's study does not give us these numbers as required by the DEP for conclusive review. It is therefore feasible that these large diesel trucks could blockade entire roadways and intersections at any given time. This is a potential health hazard to pedestrians and drivers, and a public safety hazard to say the least. Trying to get fire engines, ambulances and police cars through those intersections during peak traffic hours is already a major concern. Imagine what a massive increase in trucks and other vehicles will do to the intersections of Swampscott Road and Highland Avenue and Marlborough Road and Highland Avenue. The rating of these intersections are already at the lowest standard level, so how can their be any advantage increasing such truck volumes?

In their study, Northside Carting said that they needed an additional 54 heavy duty diesel trucks to move its expected 400 tons. Unlikely, as the Board of Health has now allowed an increase to 500 tons and 230 heavy duty diesel trucks to move the garbage and any other applicable waste to and from its facility. Again, where are the studies necessary to substantiate such increases and insure the health and welfare of our citizens, as required by the DEP? Such increases would certainly impact our streets and our health!

City council members, citizens and business owners who attended the Salem Board of Health meetings were besides themselves as they had little or no say in this matter or any of the other issues at hand. Even City Council members were not allowed reasonable time to speak in opposition to the proposal by the Chairperson of the Board of Health and the Hearing Officer, while the representatives of Northside Carting were subject to no time limits whatsoever! Was this a fair hearing? The DEP's regulations say that you can not conduct hearings in this manner. View the regulations and you decide!

Given the inaccuracy of its truck numbers, Northside Carting's "Air and Noise Studies" would also be unreliable. Submitting such unsubstantiated information is a violation of the entire review process by which the Salem Board of Health was required to conduct their fair review and finding for a "Site Suitability"permit, as required by the DEP.  Again, the regulations were ignored and to the detriment of you, the tax payer.

                                                      Our Hardships

Businesses and residents have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their investments and may suffer hardships from odors and contaminates entering the air from this facility and from vehicles and diesel trucks further congesting our roadways and intersections. Property and business values may decrease, as traffic increases. Families may not feel comfortable having their children outdoors, while shoppers, pedestrians and bikers may avoid the area completely!

A decrease in property value is very possible! As a historical record, the development of solid waste transfer stations and/or their expansion can cause a decrease in area property values, and an increase in airborne contaminates and safety related concerns. Residents and business owners run the risk of inhaling odors and harmful pollutants due to the operation of the facility and the volume of diesel trucks entering the site and on the roadways, from slime dropped from such vehicles, as well as from trash and hazardous materials generated. Who would want to live in an area where such a business would foster health and safety concerns? Massachusetts General Law requires the Board of Health and all governing bodies to take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment for it's citizens to live and work. We don't believe that they have done so!(M.G.L. Ch.111, DEP 310 CMR)

Air quality is important, as many adults and children are now susceptible to pollutants. Some infants and children have asthma and other respiratory conditions that are of great concern. Northside Carting made it clear that businesses and residences alike could experience odors from the facility and that they could not control the direction of odors or other potential contaminates generated by the facility. We have asked the Board of Health to take this seriously in review of NSC's application and as required by law. Again, we do not feel that they have done so! (M.G.L. Ch.111, DEP 310 CMR)

Traffic will also become a major hardship and safety concern as families and emergency vehicles will have difficulty traversing Highland Avenue, Traders Way, First Street, Swampscott Road and Marlborough Road. Many businesses and residences may have only one way to exit their property and any increase in traffic may become a detrimental concern and hinderance to them or a safety concern for emergency vehicles. A more comprehensive study and analysis of the adjoining roadways are necessary before any governing body can approve such a plan and as required by law. They have not!
(M.G.L. Ch.111:Sec.150A, 150A1/2)

                                        Other Questions and Answers

Clean Up and Cap Off

The Salem Transfer Station should be closed, cleaned up and given an alternative use. So why has the City of Salem NOT shut down the operations of the Salem Transfer Station by Northside Carting long ago?

1.) We've been told, but have not had access to the actual data, that in the many years Northside Carting (NSC )has been operating the Salem Transfer Station it has failed to pay the city a dime under its current lease-hold obligation and owes as much as $500,000.00 towards the closure of the facility. Why have they not paid on their obligations?

Northside Carting has been operating the facility for over a decade, collecting up to an estimated 14 million dollars, or more in revenue. It has potentially profited in the millions and yet has not made a payment in 13 years? Why have they not been evicted, wouldn't you be? Or how many residents would have lost their homes for non-payment of their taxes? It appears that NSC made a great offer to the city 13 years ago, and one the city could not refuse. As it turns out, it wasn't a great offer but a poor judgement call that may cost us dearly if we allow NSC to remain on this property.

It also appears that NSC's goal was to get it's foot in the door. They have done so and have done a crafty job holding their position, but at what cost? Keeping them here may create a situation that further affects our health, safety, property and businesses. A situation that may not be reversed. Like other entrenched transfer facility operations, NSC may ask for more and more as time goes on. More tonnage, more money and from you, the tax payer. Just look at what has already been done.  NSC has operated the facility for over 13 years and it doesn't appear that they have any intentions of paying its lease-hold obligation totalling over $530,000.00. So, who would they be short changing? You, the tax payer! And are they using these funds to force the city into an agreement on their terms? It sure looks that way!

Northside Carting, as we have been told but have yet substantiated, filed over a dozen times for permits in North Andover. When the residents said NO, they threatened to put a strip club at that location. Is this dubious? got what they wanted, a transfer facility in North Andover. Now it appears that NSC has tried to become our only solution to this former dump site's contamination issue, partnering with the city and the DEP. But they are not! The city has all the means to do the clean up without NSC, and to sell the property without burdening the tax payer. It's time to tell free loading businesses to get out of our city and stay out! If NSC would like to continue collecting our trash in the future, it should stop its bullying tactics to purchase the property and pay the city and its citizens what's owed. The site should be cleaned up by the city with the help of an apparent $530,000.00 in NSC funds promised and given an alternative use that will benefit the entire community.

We don't need NSC here to tell us how to do things, they need to re-evaluate their position and abandon their efforts for the good of the citizens. By not doing so, they will continue to erode our trust and potentially forfeit future trash collection here in Salem. Your god gifted intelligence says, watch out! A transfer station does not belong here, as agreed by residents and businesses. A 500 ton/day facility will pollute and potentially endanger the lives and livelihood of the people. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise. It's a lie!

2). Our understanding is that Northside Carting has entered into an arrangement with the city to purchase the Transfer Station property for $1, why?

It appears, as was explained by city officials, that this was the arrangement the City and Northside Carting entered into as part of their agreement to re-develop the property. Does this make sense to anyone? If the city were to clean up the site, would it not reap the benefit of a multi-million dollar sale. A clean up by the city, at the very least, would not likely result in a break even but in a profit. So who in their right mind would sell this property for $1. The property is approximately 9.3 acres, and we believe that upwards of 3.5 acres or more are usable. Could we not develop this parcel for a cleaner and better use? Surely tax revenues would not be an issue.

So what are we now to do? The city council must approve any sale of this property to NSC but to do so will violate zoning laws and a city ordinance that says that any facility on this property can not operate at over 100 tons/day. The city council may vote on the ordinance and/ or the sale of this property shortly. If you as a citizen disapprove, please attend this meeting and tell everyone you know who may be affected to attend and have them sign our on line petition. This is very important! We will also be posting all meetings on our site.

3.) The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued multiple violations to NSC for misuse of the city's property. Who will be harmed?

Northside Carting has altered the landscape of the property, dug up contaminates and has dumped debris across the site and into the river, against DEP regulations and the law. It has severely damaged the city's transfer station and quite possibly it's structural integrity. Has anyone seen the gaping hole in that facility? Take a look the next time you drive by. If your tenant did that to your home, what would you do? So then, why has the city not condemned the building and closed the site? One can only speculate. What if something happens and someone is harmed or killed, who is liable?

For a decade or more, the DEP has threatened and or promised fines for not cleaning up the contamination left on this site. It has politely asked for a clean up and has deferred its fines in place of a resolution.  It is important to understand that we, the citizens, are potentially on the hook for all such violations. A liability we do not need, so tell the City you want NSC out and this placed closed for good!  Let's start the clean up immediately!

4.) In trying to justify the sweetheart deal for the sale of this property, the City told the public that it would cost 2.3 million dollars to clean up the site. Accurate or not and who's really benefitting?  You make the call!

At the Board of Health hearing, the Board of Health's own expert said that the job could be done for under $1,000,000.00 and for possibly much less! So the deal is 1.3 million dollars sweeter for the purchaser than for the City, as the information seems to have indicated. Has the city offered to withdraw the project or has anyone asked why the purchaser, Northside Carting, should get a 1.3 million dollar windfall that could otherwise benefit the taxpayers and residents of the City of Salem?  Absolutely not!

If in fact NSC owes the city an estimated sum of $530,000.00, then the adjusted cost to the city for cleaning up the site is estimated to be $270,000.00. A short sum of money that would certainly not justify the sale of this property to anyone for $1, as they have agreed to do.  So then, there is a possibility that the city could profit considerably from doing it's own clean up. Moreover, selling the property with upwards of 3.5 acres or more of usable land could generate tax revenues exceeding that of the transfer facility. But lets face the truth, this is not about the money...it's about your health, safety and property!

5.) The DEP violations may cost the city and its citizens tens of thousands of dollars if the city does not move to clean up the contaminates on this property.

If Northside Carting pays what it owes the city, the clean up will be minimal and the city can issue an RFP that may actually put money back into the city's coffers. Hey, let's look at the possibilities. This property, once cleaned up, may likely be worth millions of dollars so why are we going to sell it for $1 to anyone? There's a school, health clinic, and residences all within 500 feet of this location, a very likely DEP violation. Residents and owners, alike, are concerned about odors and traffic - their safety and health,business and real estate values. Again, lets close this facility for good and put something there that builds value and is conducive to the area!

Please voice your opinion against the sale and re-development of the Salem Transfer Station by signing our petition located on the above tool bar.

If you wish to get involved in our efforts, please contact us by e-mail at our email address: SayNo@StopTheGarbage.com or by phone: (978)-993-4486

To help our cause, please click the donate button at the bottom of the page to make a contribution.

Alternatively Email Checks to: 3 Greenledge Street, Salem, MA 01970
Please make checks payable to Attorney Carl Goodman

                              Thank you for your support!