Bisignani predicts lower RESCO fees for Saugus

SAUGUS – Tipping fees at Wheelabrator’s Refuse Energy Systems Corporation have long been a bone of contention for many in town, but the cost might become a little easier to swallow.Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said a 20-year contract with RESCO expires on Dec. 31 of this year and he is amid negotiations for a new contract that looks like it will contain lower fees to dump its trash.”We haven’t finalized anything,” he told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday. “But I feel comfortable saying there will be a reduction in the tipping fee.”The town currently pays $78.06 per ton to deposit its trash with RESCO. Last year $800,000 was budgeted for RESCO and the same was proposed for 2010.A number of residents, including a few town officials, have said they believe the town shouldn’t have to pay any tipping fees since the trash-to-energy plant is in its backyard.While the contract does not run out until the end of the year, Bisignani said he is trying to not only get the fee reduced but also to get it reduced as soon as possible.Despite the struggling economy, trash seems to be the one area where the town has maintained a handle. Last year, Bisignani inked a five-year contract with JRM Hauling and Recycling Services for $625,000 per year, which he called a banner deal. He also brought in weekly recycling at no additional cost to the town, which he called a big win because the thought is more recycling should equal less trash, which should translate into lower tipping fees all around.Once the tipping fee is reduced, Bisignani said it would free up appropriations in the 2010 budget, which he planned to direct the School Department’s way.Bisignani has made a commitment to the schools that he will find $800,000 to cover the contractual increases that were not covered in the level funded budget he proposed for 2010. Last week he said he had an additional $200,000, leaving them $600,000 in the hole.Bisignani said he won’t know the exact figure available until the negotiations with RESCO are finalized, which he is hoping will be settled “sooner rather than later.”