SAUGUS — In the wake of an equipment malfunction at the WIN Waste Innovations facility last week that produced a loud noise likened to a jet engine, the company has taken a number of steps to implement suggestions made by residents at an emergency meeting of the Board of Health.
In an email, WIN Senior Director of Communications and Community Engagement Mary Urban said the company will install a direct phone line to the plant’s control room for public-safety officials, support a reverse 911 call for incidents at the plant, reimburse the costs incurred by the town for the response to last week’s incident, and increase the frequency of reviews by TechEnvironmental. TechEnvironmental conducts third-party reviews of the company on behalf of the Board of Health, though the cost of those reviews is borne by WIN.
“We, again, are extremely sorry for the noise event on Monday,” Urban wrote in the email. “We are absolutely committed to being a positive partner to Saugus and the communities we serve.”
WIN Senior Vice President of Operations Peter DiCecco echoed Urban, saying the company values its relationship with the town and uses community feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
And, the company will fund the installation of one stand-alone ambient NOx monitoring station in the town, equivalent to Department of Environmental Protection ambient monitors. Installation of the air monitor was initially agreed to as a condition of the host community agreement the company is working on with the town, but WIN will now fund the installation regardless of the HCA’s future.
DiCecco said in a statement that installation of the air monitor represents a “show of good faith” on behalf of the company in the “spirit of partnership.” The company noted that the offer to install the air monitor is in no way related to any emissions issues surrounding the incident, but rather a show of goodwill toward the town.
Urban committed to taking the aforementioned actions after a discussion with Board of Selectmen Chairman Anthony Cogliano, who was instrumental in the process of negotiating the HCA with the company as co-chair of the Landfill Committee and later as chair of the Board of Selectmen. That agreement would provide the town with various economic and environmental benefits should WIN secure the necessary permits to continue operating its ash monofill.
Cogliano said the relationship he has developed with the company has proven to be beneficial for the town.
“As unfortunate as the events of Monday night were, it is equally important that we remedy those situations as soon as possible,” he said. “What we’ve been able to agree to here is a major step in the right direction.”