Composting permit process drags on in Cornwall

CORNWALL — Goals of adding composting services to the town transfer station have hit another snag.

The plan began in early 2023 with the idea of adding a simple organic compost station. Initial applications to the state were denied due to the lack of leaf composting in Cornwall.

After months of planning and applications, the Board of Selectmen learned the cost of adding composting could end up with a much higher price tag than expected.

In an effort to expedite the process, Cornwall reached out to Fuss and O’Neill Inc. for help designing the composting site and organizing the required documents. For the work, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway received a quote of $19,000.

“I was hoping it would be $3,000, $4,000 or something,” said Ridgway. “Nineteen-thousand we don’t have.”

“I was a little discouraged,” said transfer station coordinator Ted Larson. “I don’t know if we can go anywhere from here. Definitely takes the wind out of the sail, that’s for sure.”

Ridgway has been in communication with state Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) to try to keep the project alive.

“It’s a priority of the policymakers, but getting a permit is not easy,” said Ridgway.

At present, Ridgway’s goal is to “simplify the process” of attaining both leaf composting and food scrap composting permits. His hope is to get personnel on site to review the proposal as opposed to meeting virtually.

By working with Horn at the state level, Ridgway was optimistic that the project can still be accomplished in the near future.

Updates will be released from Town Hall as they arise.