By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — January 17, 2006 – The selection of the architect and engineering firms which will handle the construction of the new county jail will be presented this Thursday to the Sullivan County Legislature by acting Sullivan County Manager and Commissioner of General Services Harvey Smith.
The total cost of the jail, including engineering and construction, is estimated by the county to be $50-$60 million.
Last Thursday, the Public Works Committee unanimously approved three contracts related to the Sullivan County Landfill. SCS Engineers will return to work for the county at a cost of $269,000 to monitor the landfill’s gas systems. Malcolm Pirnie was approved for $70,000 to ensure the county complies with state groundwater regulations.
Steven Lynch, who has already submitted two reports on the landfill, will return January 26 at 11 a.m. at the Sullivan County Government Center for a presentation on the county’s Phase 2 plans. Lynch, a private consultant hired by the county, has been speaking in favor of the county’s plans.
Department of Public Works Commissioner Robert Meyer and County Attorney Sam Yasgur both said a recent foul odor near the landfill was not the landfill’s making. The aroma was due to old egg shells being left outside at a local commercial property. Yasgur confirmed the source was Turick’s Inc. Roll-off Containers on Waverly Avenue. According to Yasgur, the company operates a construction and demolition debris operation on site.
The Public Works Committee also approved a supplemental agreement with the Village of Wurtsboro on the reconstruction of Sullivan Street, which will allow the hiring of the village’s new engineer, McGoey Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers, to manage the project. The county is funding part of the cost of the project.
Minority Leader Rodney Gaebel derided the firm for the job they did on the county’s corporate park. He said the business missed deadlines and was not cooperative with the county. However, he voted to approve the agreement.
Sean Welsh, the county’s consumer education director, said he is planning a workshop on educating people about well water with the New York State Board of Health. He also is planning a program on tenant rights. He said the consumer hotline received its fewest calls in December – 26. The hotline number is 877-292-5250.
In other business, Sullivan County Board of Elections Commissioners Timothy Hill and Fran Thalmann were on hand at the General Services Committee meeting. Hill said the state Board of Elections could be sued by the federal government for being one of the only states not to update their voting machines.
Thalmann said when new machines are approved, the county will need a climate-controlled warehouse to store them in. Hill said that will be a reality “sooner or later.”
Committee Chairwoman Jodi Goodman suggested the commissioners meet with Meyer to work out the details.