By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council is trying to find a way to reduce Mayor Masiello's proposed eight percent increase in the city's garbage user fee.
Masiello called for the increase in his proposed budget because of the county's decision to return the garbage transfer station to city control. Public Works Commissioner Joseph Giambra says the city could earn some revenue by opening up the station to suburban municipalities. But Lovejoy District Council Member Richard Fontana said that didn't work for the county.
"With the transfer station operation, we would want to bring in other municipalities. But the county has tried that the past few years and has been unsuccessful in bringing in enough revenue," Fontana said. "So, that road has been traveled. If the county couldn't interest area towns in using the transfer station, I doubt we will."
Fontana said he would support closing the transfer station and have each garbage truck haul its load directly to the landfill site.