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MALCOLM PIRNIE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM AND WASTE COMPOSITION STUDY Chairman Macht announced the item and advised that backup materials had been previously distributed. Utility Services Director Terry Pinto explained there were two studies conducted by consultant, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., namely the Waste Composition Study, required by the Department of Environmental Protection to analyze the waste stream, and the Evaluation of the In -Place Solid Waste Disposal Assessment Program. Director Pinto advised the representatives of Malcolm Pirnie are here this morning to make their presentation to the Board but the Board is not being asked to take any action at this meeting. He explained that prior to the preliminary budget hearing for SWDD in July, staff for the Solid Waste Disposal District would formulate recommendations for modifications to the assessments and to policy. Commissioner Bird asked how these studies related to the input received at the public hearing held December 14, 1994, and Director Pinto advised that the hearing was held in order to hear the concerns/ suggestions of the public, primarily the commercial users, in order to provide staff with ideas for the type of changes they would need to recommend and the study provides them with factual information for those changes. Commissioner Bird asked how that public input was helpful since it was so late in the process, and Director Pinto explained that while the study was to look at factual detail, the concerns of the users had to be addressed in the study. Staff can now begin to implement some of the consultant's concerns with the present system and draw up specific policy. Following that, it will be even more important to sit down with the people involved to make sure that the suggested policy changes address their concerns. Director Pinto believed that one of the most important results would be changes to set out specifically what can be used for appeal in the petition procedure and how the Board may give or not give relief . As set up now, the burden is on the petitioner to prove he's not receiving the benefit. What staff will be able to do is establish new criteria and categories, and give the Board the ability to reach a decision based on clearer and more specific standards. Commissioner Eggert asked how that could be and referred to a sentence on page 5-4 of the Assessment Program: "However, since the system appears equitable, there is little reason to consider alternatives." Director Pinto explained that in looking at the E January 31, 1995 Boa 94 ouc