I’m compelled to write about sludge.
Anita and I ran across several “No Sludge Dryer” yard signs in our neighborhood recently so we decided to learn more about the issue. It turns out we’re being asked to vote in 13 days on Phase II of a two-phase plan to process sludge – the stuff we flush down our toilets, wash from our bodies and clothes and rinse down our drains – and the “No New Taxes” folks are rearing their ugly heads.
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| Sandra Diorka |
The first phase of the sludge project approved by the township board in 2007 cost millions and involved implementing a “Class A” treatment process (sludge must be “Class A” before it can be sold or given away). Phase II consists of building the sludge dryer. If Phase II is voted down, all that money spent in Phase I is lost.
I realize this is a local issue but it’s representative of a problem we have today: too many voters make decisions based on flawed information, lies, emotion and selfishness – and we all suffer the consequences.
Sandra Diorka, Delhi Township’s Director of Public Services, made the following points in a well-written article that appeared in the Holt Community News:
- Dried sludge can be burned for fuel; burning it destroys/removes pharmaceuticals, hormones, detergents and sanitizers from our fields and water supplies.
- Dried sludge is a renewable fuel, so we’ll be reducing the use of fossil fuels to generate power.
- Delhi Township will save enough money through reduced operational costs and raise income from selling the processed sludge to pay back the project’s cost in less than 20 years.
- Building the sludge dryer now to take advantage of state grants will save more than half of the project’s costs; we’ll need to cough up $2.6 million rather than $5.1 million.
Delhi Township Supervisor Stuart Goodrich and a resident named Florence Drullinger wrote persuasive letters to the editor that appeared in the same issue. Goodrich and Drullinger both support the project; Goodrich pointed out that we already have a green light from the U.S. EPA and the state Department of Environmental Quality.
How much will building the sludge dryer cost sewer customers? $1.20/month. That’s right: less than $15/year/household. Opponents surely spent more than $15 to manufacture and deliver lawn signs to the ignorant, misguided residents who agreed to reveal their short-sightedness for all to see.
Diorka says, “Paying a bit more for sewer service will result in considerable long-term savings.” I sure hope the majority of my neighbors don’t decide to be penny wise and pound foolish on May 8.
Sludge dryer photo courtesy Komline-Sanderson
Sources: Delhi Charter Township, Holt Community News.
The citizens of Delhi Township are interested in investing in sensible projects because we have limited financial resources. Especially after the township raised the operating millage 162% in 2010. Add on another 18% increase in the basic monthly sewer charge since 2009, and that amounts to alot of money for an overwhelming majority of the people in the township. There is absolutely a thin minority of folks in the township who are falling into the trap being set by Sandra Diorka. Sandra claims that the project will pay for itself in 20 years. The project will cost $6,800,000 ( $5,600,000.00 in captital costs plus
ReplyDelete$1,200,000.00 in operating and maintenance expenses over 20 years ). Divide $6,800,000.00 by 20 and Diorka is claiming that the township will see $340,000 in reduced costs and revenue from this sludge drier. If that is true, then why would the township be raising the basic monthly sewer charge another 9.25% for 20 years? The numbers just don't make sense. Also, don't forget that Sandra is predicting what the future will be. The fact is, there are no agreements with any municipality or with any power plant. Should Delhi build the sludge dryer, there is no market for the end product yet. MSU won't apply for a permit to burn sludge yet. Delhi Township doesn't even know how well the solar dryer will work. We do not get that many days in mid-Michigan in which
a solar powered anything would work at peak efficiency. And we have long and dark winters.
This is not a sensible or necessary project to pursue at this time. And by the way, the blogger complains about people making decisions based on emotions and lies, yet the blogger perpetuates the misleading information from Ms. Diorka and is herself/himself emotional. Let's keep Delhi Township an affordable place to live by not spending millions on a project that is NOT necessary or sensible.
You can definately tell that Mr. Reid wrote his comments with alot of emotion and anger. For the life of me I cannot understand why he and Mr. Bajema are so against this dryer. Ms. Diorka did not just make up this project and decide that she wanted to spend taxpayers money. She researched this project very thoroughly and spent a great deal of her own personal time learning about solar sludge drying. The amount of days we have of sun or clouds will not affect this process. This has all been laid out with the design of the project. I have seen and felt the actual end product and it is amazing that it does not even smell and looks just like small granular particles. Have you ever smelled a farm field after it has been sprayed with fertilizer? It is disgusting and lasts for weeks on end. This project will also eliminate this. Everyone complains about the price of gas/fuel(which just since the first of the year has increased more than a 1.20 per gallon per fill up) the additionial cost of this sludge dryer is $1.20 per month. I look at this $1.20 as my way of helping our community better itself. It is exciting! No one can predict the future that's for sure - we may not be here tomorrow, but if everyone felt that way oh my goodness what would our world become. The future is where it is at and I commend Ms. Diorka for looking towards the future and obviously so does the EPA and the State or they would not have supported and granted the township with the funds to produce this project. I hope our residents that have any questions about this sludge dryer take time to really research it and read the information that has been made available, watch the videos that have been produced and decide for themselves how they feel about it rather than being lied to by politicians trying to make names for themselves.
ReplyDeleteHow do I get a "No" sign for my yard?
ReplyDeleteneed to know how much a bit added is & how much previous bits cost now.
ReplyDeleteWhere can I get a vote yes sign?
ReplyDeleteSend an e-mail message to yes4qualityoflife@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why we would ever want to make sure that we are increasing our costs to live in Delhi? I suppose if there were already buyers for our sludge and if such a thing was taking place all around the United States I would better respect this recommendation but currently this seems misguided to me. It has become only personal. Between the goats and the rates and the additional millage for police and firemen, etc., etc., etc. there is no reason continue to open up our wallets. You are poor stewards of our tax dollars as it is, don't come asking for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting... I'm in sales and feel like I'm being closed on something without the true figures. What will happen with the money the sludge dryer produces and if everyone is paying for it now, it should Come with a promise to reduce the Cost once it produces or is paid for. If this will pay for itself then we should not have to come up with the cost for it over 20 years... That would be like me opening a business and and telling the IRS I'm going to take a loss for the next 20 years. Then I will profit. We should only have to come up with the extra money until this produces. If it will take 20 years to start earning then it sounds like a money pit to me.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me the sewer costs will go up quicker and higher (much more that $1.20) without the dryer. Common sense.
ReplyDelete