By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Homeowners and businesses on the outskirts of the north Valley are opposing a Maricopa County plan to close all six of its waste transfer stations, saying the move would leave rural residents without affordable options for trash disposal.
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The county says the stations have created a nearly $1 million deficit paid by taxpayers.
Residents depend on stations for basic waste removal
Many far north Valley residents live on county islands where private trash pickup is either unavailable or costly. Debbie Stack of Desert Hills, near Interstate 17 and Cloud Road, said she relies on her neighborhood transfer station to haul horse manure and household trash by the trailer load.
“I was kind of in a panic, because I didn’t know, you know, right away, what am I going to do?” Stack said.
Stack said the transfer station is her primary option.
“We don’t have trash pickup out here. The county and the city do not provide that for us. We have to get it on our own. So, to minimize our options would, I don’t know. It’s kind of a no-brainer for me,” she said.
Cost concerns stretch from Desert Hills to New River
New River resident Edie Bernocco said the potential closure is upsetting. She and other residents say hiring private haulers comes with a steep price.
“Right now, we spend $12 every two weeks. And it’s going to go up to probably close to $100 a month to use the trash company. And we’re limited in the trash companies that we can use,” she said.
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Residents also warned that closing the stations could worsen illegal dumping.
“I think a major problem, right now we have people dumping trash in the desert. If they have nowhere to put it, they’re going to start dumping in the desert even more,” Bernocco said.
County outlines options under consideration
Jason Berry, deputy director of communications for Maricopa County, released a statement saying the board has developed a range of options now under consideration.
“Maricopa County opened waste transfer stations to ensure services are available in remote areas where other services did not exist. However, in recent years, private and municipal service providers have expanded their capacity and coverage areas and are now positioned to meet community needs. Maricopa County Environmental Services Department is currently asking for public feedback on a range of options to keep some or all of its six transfer stations open, including operation by private or municipal entities.”
A public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13 to discuss the options.
The six transfer stations under review
The following stations are under consideration for closure:
- Aguila — 48848 N. 531st Ave., Aguila, AZ 85320 | Open Thursday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Cave Creek — 3955 E. Carefree Highway, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 | Open Wednesday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Hassayampa — 32450 W. Salome Highway, Arlington, AZ 85322 | Open Wednesday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Morristown — 40135 N. Highway 60, Morristown, AZ 85342 | Open Wednesday and Saturday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- New River — 41835 N. New River Road, Phoenix, AZ 85087 | Open Wednesday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Rainbow Valley — 17795 S. Rainbow Valley Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338 | Open Friday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Residents can submit public feedback by clicking or tapping here.
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