On a muddy day, relief that new transfer station is paved

KENT — After almost four years of planning and constructing, the town’s new transfer station officially opened for business on Saturday, Nov. 14, right next to the old transfer station on Route 341.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony and other celebrations befitting such a grand opening, the opening of the transfer station was rainy and subdued.

“I have no comment because I’m not here for the fanfare,� transfer station attendant John Kaminski said, pretty much summing up the low-key atmosphere of the opening.

However, Ruth Epstein, in one of her last acts as first selectman before her term ended on Tuesday, Nov. 17, was present at the opening.

“What we have here is a nice and modern transfer station,� Epstein said. “In fact, we had a few Department of Environmental Protection representatives visit before we opened and they said it was a poster child for other transfer stations.�

One major difference between the old station and the new one is that the new one is paved.

At the old transfer station, residents had to deal with dirt roads, which Epstein pointed out would become muddy and sometimes undrivable in heavy rain and snow.

Another difference is that the attendant now has a building from which he can manage the station’s operations.

However, for residents, probably the biggest difference between the new and old station is that the new station can accept bulky waste (furniture, beds, shingles, electronics and freon appliances) all year.

“At the old station, we would only be able to accept bulk waste twice a year,� Epstein said. “I think residents will be delighted with the new station.�

The project was constructed and completed with the help of a state Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant for $450,000.

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