WASTE STATION OWNERS AWAIT WORD TO OPEN

JACKSON -- Operators of a new solid waste transfer station are awaiting word from the state on when they can start operations.

Allied Waste Management's transfer station was inspected Friday, said Bob Doyle, district manager for Lemmon's Waste System, Allied's local component.

"The inspection looked good, according to the inspector," Doyle said.

The company is waiting for notification in writing that it can start hauling trash from the site, he said.

Doyle expects to hear from the state "in a week or two," he said Tuesday.

The transfer station is in the Jackson Industrial Park near the city's wastewater plant.

The city's landfill closed in October. Since then, solid waste has been hauled from Jackson to a transfer station in Cape Girardeau, and from there to Lemmon's landfill in Dexter.

The Jackson transfer station is expected to handle between 50 and 100 tons of solid waste daily, according to Doyle.

In 1995, Allied hauled almost 5,600 tons of solid waste from the city's residents and businesses.

Doyle said the transfer station will be marketed for use by residents and businesses in communities surrounding the Jackson area.

City officials say having the transfer station in town will help keep trash hauling costs down.