Commission updated on landfill operations

BERNALILLO — The current and potential county landfill operations are being reviewed for efficiency and cost.

Charles Martinez Jr., Sandoval County's deputy director of public works, gave an update on several projects Jan. 7  during a regular county commission meeting, but the first and perhaps most important update was on the landfill.

The current landfill is nearing its end of life and the county has already discussed the potential benefits of a new landfill.

Martinez said he has the primary responsibility of overseeing the county landfill and the county's projects.

"So, through my research, I found out that we're looking to get a second opinion, a consultant hired to contribute and do a report on the county landfill for operations," he said.

The scope of the review is specifically to look at equipment and equipment maintenance costs as well as purchase and sale. The county is also looking at cost for closing the existing landfill and infrastructure for the new one.

Right now, Martinez said, his biggest priority is to minimize the amount of dirt used on the trash.

Commissioners asked Martinez's personal opinion of the landfill operations.

"I think the landfill is is a needed operation for our society. Trash is coming in from all the way through Los Lunas to this county landfill," he said. "I think the focus has been on profit, the money piece of it, and I think we can improve the quality of the service that work with economy's providing like something as simple as you're packing up to throw the trash, you don't need to run over as much of debris."

He called it a necessary public service, adding that the county should be looking at prolonging the life of the landfill. He also said he thinks there is opportunity in the community to do better whether that be by composting or other forms of minimizing the space trash takes up.