Danbury officials don't see a waste transfer station proposal coming to fruition.  Even though a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Hearing Officer has recommended that a permit be issued, local approval for the proposal on Plumtrees Road is needed.  The facility is being sought by Joseph Putnam and MSW Associates LLC. 

Mayor Mark Boughton says Danbury already hosts one transfer station, and this would have an impact on quality of life in the area.  There is still a lawsuit pending in the court system by MSW against the City of the 2007 rejection by the Planning Commission of a smaller waste transfer station at the same site.  He says it's unlikely they'll change their position. 

Danbury, the Housing Authority, Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority and others have 15 days to file exceptions to the DEEP Hearing Officer's proposed decision. 

Boughton says part of Danbury's argument is that the City already hosts one such facility, and it's not really fair that other surrounding municipalities don't host waste transfer facilities.  He says a lot of City officials are tired of being dumped on when it comes to having people put their garbage in Danbury. 

In addition to that philosophical argument, there's a practical one.  There's no access to rail, the added wear and tear on the streets, increased truck traffic, litter and smell all come with hosting a large-scale waste transfer station.

It's estimated that there would be 260 round trips by trucks, and 28 by employees.