12/01/2014

Engineering firm to begin immediate assessment of Transfer Station, Recycling Center

An engineering firm this week will begin an onsite assessment of the town Transfer Station and Recycling Center.

Town Manager Michael McGovern announced that the assessment, planned for this summer as part of the 2016-2025 capital improvement plan, will begin immediately in light of a fatal accident that occurred there Nov. 24, 2014.

Herb Dennison, a former director of Cape Elizabeth Public Works, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle backing in to the hopper area.

McGovern, returning this week from Rotary Club business overseas, announced that the firm of Woodard & Curran will visit the transfer station this week and provide any short-term recommendations. "I also anticipate contracting with them for the longer range study that was recommended to be done next fiscal year," McGovern said in an email to the Town Council. "I will ask that work begin right away on the larger study instead of waiting to July when the study had been planned," he said.

A citizen review group will be established to help guide the longer-term study, he said.

In his email, McGovern extended "first and foremost" his deepest sympathy to the Dennison family, recounting his personal experiences with Mr. Dennison. He also credited the professionalism of town staff during an emotional time, especially those who had also worked closely with Mr. Dennison.

Here is the text of McGovern's message:

Dear Council Members:

This past week was a tragic one for the Dennison family and for the Town of Cape Elizabeth. ​First and foremost, my deepest sympathies are with Herb's family.

I first met Herb ​when I served as an intern here during the summer of 1977. In 1978, he was serving as acting town manager and he and then Council Chairman Henry Adams concluded that I might be available to assist him while the council searched for a permanent manager. ​It was about a month after I started that I can remember standing with Herb watching the last fire at our open burning dump and watching the first few cars come in to our new transfer station.

Herb was a fine man and was completely dedicated to his community. He always put serving the public first and his legacy of having the best roads during winter and a good pavement management program ​will forever remind all who knew him of what he accomplished. He was also the key person in the early days who dealt with all the issues of converting Fort Williams into a park. He also was in charge of the major sewer projects in the northern end of Cape Elizabeth. ​Truly, he made a huge difference to his community.

All organizations have a number of good people and my faith and trust in our staff was affirmed last week as all who assisted with the accident ​showed their true professionalism. Everyone knows what I think of Bob Malley and what a wonderful person and public works director that he is. With his strong personal and professional ties to Herb, last week was as tough a week as any employee could ever go through. He held the organization together and made good decisions under the greatest stress that one could imagine. I always feel indebted to Bob for what he does for the community and for me. This respect and appreciation has only deepened in the last seven days.

Bob and others have also told me how helpful Matt Sturgis, Peter Gleeson, Neil Williams and Greg Marles were this past week. Aside from Greg, I was able to speak last week from Manila with the others and was able to personally thank them for their professionalism. Neil and Peter also knew Herb for longer than I have ​so this was again a most difficult week made even more difficult.. Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank those who were present at the transfer station last Monday at the time of the accident and responding to the scene. Our public works personnel, police and fire departments showed once again how compassionate and dedicated they are in serving Cape Elizabeth.

​This morning I met first thing with Bob and we both agreed that we should immediately have an engineering firm visit our facility and assess our operations. Woodard and Curran, Maine's foremost firm in solid waste and recycling, was contacted by Bob ​this morning and they will be onsite this week to begin their assessment. This will include recommending any short term measures.

I also anticipate contracting with them for the longer range study that was recommended to be done next fiscal year. I will ask that work begin right away on the larger study instead of waiting to July when the study had been planned.

The longer term study will need some intense citizen involvement and a citizen review group will be established to help guide that work. ​

Please let me know of any questions that you may have or any direction that you wish to give.

Best regards,

Mike