Environmental engineering and consulting firm Potesta and Associates, Inc., has been doing well in Pocahontas County recently.

The company recently got work from the Town of Marlinton for stormwater / sewer design work and the county Public Service District just hired Potesta to do soil analysis and drainage design at the Snowshoe Village sewage plant.

The county Solid Waste Authority (SWA) board added to Potesta's local workload at its regular meeting on October 27, when it voted 2-1 to have the firm prepare its annual landfill report, at a cost of $3,205. Board president Ed Riley and board member Buster Varner voted for the measure. Board member Doug Bernier voted nay. Board members Fane Irvine and Jim Burks were not present.

Bernier said he wanted more information on the hiring process. Varner said he wanted clarification, as well, for future hirings, but voted for the instant measure because the report must be submitted to the Solid Waste Management Board by January 1.

The annual report is required by state law and contains information on cell use, airspace remaining, compaction rate and estimates of the serviceable life of the landfill. Potesta has prepared the annual report for the SWA for the last three years.

The board voted 3-0 to select Alderman's Wood to build a 10 x 12 foot attendant shelter for Caesar's Mountain green boxes, at a cost of $2,750. The SWA will purchase insulation for the building, to be installed by the attendant.

The current shelter uses a wood-burning stove for heat. Varner recommended looking into the cost of installing propane heat. SWA office manager Mary Clendenen will check on prices for a propane heater.

Pocahontas County High School woodshop submitted a bid of $2,850, but could not complete the building until mid-January and could not deliver the building.

The SWA is looking for a storage container for recyclable electronic devices, to be placed at the landfill. Effective January 1, 2011, covered electronic devices, as defined by state law, may not be disposed of in a solid waste landfill in West Virginia and must be recycled.

"Covered electronic device" means a television, computer or video display device with a screen that is greater than four inches measured diagonally. "Covered electronic device" does not include a video display device that is part of a motor vehicle or that is contained within a household appliance or commercial, industrial or medical equipment.

The SWA received grant funds of $3,500 for the purchase of an electronics storage container.

Clendenen checked on prices for either a semi-trailer or a 40-foot conex shipping container, but had located nothing for less than $4,000. Varner said he would check with other businesses in the state to find a lower price and the measure was tabled.

Landfill manager Jody Alderman reported that a new aerator at the landfill water treatment lagoon is working well and two others are being rebuilt. The manager added that service on sand filters for the leachate water treatment system is nearly complete.

In other business, the SWA board voted 3-0 to approve specifications and advertise for bids for three recycling trailers, to replace trailers currently located at schools. The trailers will be paid for by grant money from the state Solid Waste Management Board.

The next regular SWA meeting, for both November and December, is scheduled for December 30, 7 p.m. in the courthouse jury room.