Votes Still Needed for Trash Train Legislation

By Eric Yun

Trains hauling garbage through the neighborhood emit nauseating odors that have residents demanding action. In response, state Senator Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) have introduced a number of bills targeting these noxious “stink trains.”

Residents have been complaining for the past year about idling trains and the smell from trains transporting trash through the neighborhood. Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions (CURES) have been pushing to curb idling trains, noise and security in Middle Village and Glendale. As a result of the community’s concerns, Addabbo and Hevesi have sponsored four bills aimed at eliminating the odor.

Bill S7153/A10176 creates new guidelines for waste trains at New York transfer stations. The bill would require waste trains to have hard lids or tarps to prevent odors and spills that might occur. The Environmental Conservation Committee voted 13-0 in favor of the bill, and the Rules Committee passed the bill 22-1.

Similarly, Bill S7591/A10819 would call for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to require trains hauling trash to install hard lids or tarps. The MTA leases their railways to companies to haul waste. Bill S7591/A10819 passed the Senate Rules committee 21-2.

Both bills are being held as Addabbo and Hevesi work to get the votes needed to pass a full vote.

One person who appears to be the biggest critic of the bills is Senior Assistant Majority Leader and Transportation Committee Chairperson Martin Malavé Dilan (D- Brooklyn). Dilan was the only nay vote on Bill S7153 and one of the two nay votes on S7591 committees.

A cursory look at Dilan’s campaign finance reports reveals he has received numerous donations from railroad companies in the last two years. CSX, one of the companies that transport waste through the area, donated $600 last year.

A spokesman for Senator Dilan’s legislative office explained to The Forum that the bills are a duplication of industry standards that are already in place. Companies generally use mesh netting for non-putrescible waste and hard caps for putrescible waste. He also explained adding hard tarping to non-putrescible waste can lead to breaking debris that destroys hard tarping.

Furthermore, Dilan’s office contends that waste haul through railroads is necessary. One railcar transporting trash replaces hundreds of garbage trucks travelling through the city. They added the legislation would be an unnecessary burden for rail companies, as it would add roughly $1.20 per ton of trash to install hard caps.

Two other bills dealing with waste trains have also been introduced. Bill S7595/A10820 provides provisions for railcar companies to reimburse neighborhoods in the event of a spill or disaster. Bill S7261/A10396 increases civil penalties for rail companies that do not follow current environmental laws.

JPCA Tackles Crime, Trash Trains and West Nile

By Tamara Best

Crime, the transporting of trash through the area and preventing West Nile virus were key discussions at the Juniper Park Civic Association meeting held last week.

Crime in the 104th Precinct

Crime is up 34 percent for the year, according to Lt. James Lombardi of the 104th Precinct. Felony assault is up 65 percent for the year, of which nearly half of the assaults are domestic related. Grand larceny continues to plague the 104, with Toyota Highlanders and vans popular targets. Lombardi said the precinct has received intelligence that the vans being stolen are being used in South Jamaica as dollar vans. There is some good news however, as robberies and burglaries are on the decline.

The civic association recognized Lt. Lombardi with the 2010 Community Service Award for his work.

Garbage Train

Ashley Pillsbury, legislative director for Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), gave an update on legislation aimed at changing the way trains haul waste through the area. Of the four bills, Pillsbury said two are alive and well.

Bill 10819 requires that anytime the MTA enters into a lease agreement with another company, that they insert terms and conditions up to set environmental standards about how waste is carried while on their line. Bill 10176 spells out requirements for how waste must be covered, before it can leave a waste transfer station. Both of the bills are in the rules committee, which is the last step before a bill reaches the floor for a vote. Pillsbury said she is confident that they will be voted on before the end of the year.

Two other bills, one dealing with emergency response and the other with penalties, will not resume discussions until next year due to their committees not meeting.

The first bill would create an enhanced penalty structure for companies not adhering to environmental standards when hauling waste. The second would require a shipping company to pay a municipality anytime an emergency response is called to where a hauler is shipping waste.

West Nile concerns

With the start of West Nile virus season here, John Zuzworsky from the Department of Health spoke to residents on the importance of being vigilant against the virus.

“People have stopped being worried and that is not good,” he said.

To help protect homes from breeding mosquitoes Zuzworsky and the department advise residents to dump out anything that has standing for water. Zuzworsky said that water that stands for four days or more provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Residents should also make sure that windows and doors have screens and make repairs to any leaky faucets or broken screens.