>> Announcer: THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´M ADRIAN WILLIAMS.

ON EVERY EPISODE OF THE SHOW, OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE YOU THE VIEWERS NOT JUST THE FACTS, BUT TO GO A LITTLE MORE IN-DEPTH AND EXPLAIN SOME OF THE FINER DETAILS OF THE RECOVERY EFFORTS HAPPENING AT SOME OF OUR MAJOR DEPARTMENTS.

LAST MONTH WE HEARD UPDATES ON SCHOOL PROJECTS ACROSS THE TERRITORY, AND THIS TIME AROUND WE´LL GET DOWN AND DIRTY TO DISCUSS WHAT´S TAKING PLACE AT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

BUT FIRST, HERE´S THE MOST RECENT NEWS ON RECOVERY PROJECTS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS COME POLICE ON ST. CROIX.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM WAS ON-SITE AT JFL NORTH WITH AN IMPORTANT UPDATE.

>> WE´RE HERE ON THE SITE OF THE JUAN F. LOUIE INTERIM FACILITY OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JFL NORTH.

THE FACILITY IS A APPROXIMATELY 55,000 FOOT FACILITY THAT IS 90% COMPLETE.

THE MAJOR COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED IS BEHIND ME, IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CMU BUILDING.

THIS IS A TWO-STORY BUILDING THAT ESSENTIALLY WILL HOUSE ALL OF THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RUN JFL NORTH.

THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE WATER SYSTEMS, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, THE MEDICAL GAS SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS THE PROPANE SYSTEMS FOR THE -- THAT WILL SUPPORT THE THS NORTH.

RIGHT NOW OUR SCHEDULE IS TO HAVE THIS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER.

RIGHT NOW OUR CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE IS SLATED FOR JULY.

THE TEAM, WORKING WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE JUAN F. LOUIE HOSPITAL, HAS ALREADY BEGUN THE TRANSITION PROCESS.

WE HAVE A WHOLE PROCESS LAID OUT HOW WE´RE GOING TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS, HOW WE´RE GOING TO BRING IN THE SUPPLIES, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS INTO THIS FACILITY.

IT´S A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO RAMP UP AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE SUMMER MONTHS.

THIS PARTICULAR BUILDING, THE CMU BUILDING AS I ALLUDED TO, IS JUST UNDER $10 MILLION.

MUCH OF THE EQUIPMENT, THE GENERATORS, WATT THOR PUMP, MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, SOME OF THOSE ARE ALREADY ON ISLAND.

ANOTHER MAJOR COMPONENT OF THIS IS A WATER, A WATER TANK, A WATER STORAGE TANK BECAUSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CURRENT JUAN F. LOUIE HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED.

SO THIS TEMPORARY FACILITY MUST BE ABLE TO STAND ON ITS OWN AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY UTILITY SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE QUALITY PATIENT CARE TO THE RESIDENTS OF ST. CROIX.

>> FREDERICK SAID MOTORISTS ARE IN FOR A SMOOTH RIDE ON THE NEWLY RECONSTRUCTED CARL TON ROAD.

THE $3.1 MILLION PROJECT STARTED IN OCTOBER OF 2020, AND FACED A FEW SETBACKS ALONG THE WAY.

CONTRACTOR SEAN BAPTISTE WAS ON LOCATION TO TELL US MORE.

>> AS YOU KNOW THIS PART OF THE ROAD, THEY HAVE A LOT OF SPRINGS, WATER SPRINGS.

SO WHAT WE HAD TO DO TO THIS R0ED, WE HAD TO ACTUALLY CREATE A WHOLE ROAD.

MEANING WE HAD TO TAKE OUT ABOUT 16 INCHES OF FILL AND FILL IT BACK WITH MATERIAL FROM THE CRUSHER, COMPACT IT, LAY IT, AND COMPACT IT IN DIFFERENT STAGES TO MAKE THE ROAD THE ABILITY THE STRENGTH OF WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.

SOME PLACES WE HAD TO TAKE OUT 30 INCHES, AND WE HAD TO FILL IT BACK WITH FILL ANT TO COMPACT IT IN ORDER FOR THE WATER TO STAY DOWN SO IT WON´T AFFECT THE ROAD AGAIN.

SO IT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE DEALING WITH THE ROAD.

ONLY ONE THING THAT THE COMMUNITY COMPLAINED ABOUT AND WE´RE GOING TO ADDRESS IT AND CORRECT IT, THE SPEED BUMPS ARE TIE.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL TOOL I ORDERED.

IT SHOULD BE HERE EARLY NEXT WEEK THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND CUT DOWN THE SPEED BUMP AND MAKE THE ROAD AND MAKE THE COMMUNITY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE OUR CARS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THANK YOU, MR. BAPTISTE.

COMMISSIONER GABRIEL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS ALSO ON-SITE TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE SCOPE AND TIME LINE OF THE PROJECT.

>> THE PROJECT ENTAILED ROAD RECONSTRUCTION, TO INCLUDE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, STRIPING, FULL ASPHALT PAVING, AS WELL AS SIGNAGE AND OTHER TRAFFIC AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.

THE PROJECT IS SLATED TO BE COMPLETE, I WOULD SAY THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL.

RIGHT NOW WE´RE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE, JUST FINISHING UP SOME MINOR PUNCH LIST ITEMS.

BUT OVERALL THIS PROJECT REALLY IS A GREAT PROJECT.

CARL TON ROAD WAS ONE OF THE WORST ROADS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE´RE HAPPY TO DO A FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF THIS ROAD AND TO FINALLY OPEN IT FOR THE RESIDENTS.

AS YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD IS OPEN.

THERE´S BEEN A FAST OPENING AND WE HOPE TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL OPENING IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR.

>> AND MORE GOOD NEWS FOR FREDERICK STEAD.

A $7.7 MILLION OBLIGATION FROM FEMA WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT THE $116 MILLION REVITALIZATION OF THE WALTER HODGE HOUSING COMMUNITY ALSO KNOWN A SUFFER ALLEY.

WE SPOKE TO LYDIA POWELL, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY TO GET THE DETAILS.

>> OUR RECENT OBLIGATION OF THE FEMA 428 FUNDS HELP PULL THE FINANCING TOGETHER FOR ALL 250 UNITS TO BE RENOVATED, COMPLETELY GUTTING THE INTERIOR OF THE UNITS, REDOING THE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL LINES, AND A COMPLETE MAKE OVER IN ALL UNITS.

ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS, WE WILL BE HARDENING THE EXTERIOR WALLS AND ADDING HURRICANE IMPACT RESISTANT WINDOWS.

AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING FOR LOUVERED WINDOWS.

THE RESIDENTS WILL NEED KEY CARDS TO ENTER THE BUILDINGS.

THE LANDSCAPING WILL BE NEW.

THE PARKING AREAS AND THE EXTERIOR STREET LIGHTING AND BUILDING LIGHTING WILL ALL BE SOLAR.

NEW PLAY GROUNDS, BASKETBALL COURTS FOR RECREATION AND TWO OF THE UNITS WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A SENIOR CENTER.

WE´RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THIS CONSTRUCTION START IN APRIL OR EARLY MAY OF 2022.

>> THE AUTHORITY EXPECTS THE PROJECT TO TAKE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

CRAMER´S PARK CAMPERS WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THIS SEASON.

A PROJECT TO RECONSTRUCT PAVILIONS AT THE POPULAR BEACH HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

AL ABEL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HAS MORE.

>> THE SCOPE OF WORK IS TO REPLACE THE BANNERS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE HURRICANES IN 2017.

REPLACE THE FENCING OF THIS FACILITY AND SOME OTHER MINOR REPAIRS.

THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THIS JOB IS APPROXIMATELY $900,000.

THUS FAR, THEY HAVE DISMANTLED THE CABANAS AND DONE SOME OTHER PRELIMINARY DEMOLITION WORK.

WE ASKED THEM TO STOP WORKING TO ACCOMMODATE OUR GUESTS FOR EASTER SINCE THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN REOPENED SINCE COVID, AND WE KNOW THIS IS A BIG EASTER CAMPAIGN GROUND HERE ON ST. CROIX.

WORK WILL COMMENCE APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AFTER THE EASTER CAMPING SEASON IS FINISHED.

IT IS THE DEPARTMENT´S REQUEST THAT THE EASTER CAMPING FACILITY RESPECT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE, STAY OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREAS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE IS A FENCE AREA BEHIND ME.

WE ARE ASKING INDIVIDUALS NOT TO GO INTO THAT AREA BECAUSE THERE IS SOME CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS.

>> THE CRAMER´S PARK PAVILION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF AUGUST 2022.

>>> NEW PARKS ARE COMING TO HEAD START LOCATIONS ON ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS.

HEAD START ADMINISTRATOR MASIKA LEWIS SHARES THE GOOD NEWS.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND BRYAN ROAD ADMINISTRATION ARE PLEASED TO SHARE THAT THE HEAD START PROGRAM IS AT THE POINT OF RENOVATING AND INSTALLING PLAY GROUNDS.

THE MULTIPLE HEAD START CENTERS ACROSS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, THIS PROJECT IS BEING MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF $3.5 MILLION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OFFICE OF HEAD START DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS.

THE HEAD START PROGRAM APPLIED FOR THIS GRANT IN ORDER TO CREATE STATE OF THE ART PLAYGROUND FACILITIES, INCLUSIVE OF A BETA PLAYGROUND SURFACES AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT WILL ALLOW THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HEAD START PROGRAM TO COMPLETE PLAYGROUND PROJECTS AT THE SAVAN, SUGAR ESTATE AND HEAD START IN ST. THOMAS, KINGS HILL ON ST. CROIX.

HEAD START RECOGNIZES IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN TO ENGAGE IN DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND THE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT THEY PROVIDE A ENVIRONMENT THAT FACILITIES FUN EXPERIENCES THAT MEETS HEAD START STRICT HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS.

HEAD START APPROVED PLAY GROUNDS INCLUDE SURFACES THAT INCLUDE SHOCK ABSORPTION AS WELL AS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THAT MEETS GUIDELINES SPECIFIC TO HEIGHT AND FALL ZONES.

APPROVED MATERIALS, HEAT CONDUCTIVITY, AND MANY OTHER FACTORS.

PLAY GROUNDS MUST ADHERE TO REQUIRED PERCENTAGES OF SHADED AREAS.

AGAIN, FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY PURPOSES.

WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN, JR., AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN ENSURING THAT THESE PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY MOVE THROUGH EACH PHASE AND HAVE COME TO FRUITION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION OF THESE PROJECTS IN JUNE 2022 AND BEING ABLE TO SEE OUR CHILDREN ENJOY THE SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY PLAY SPACES THAT WILL BE CREATED.

>> WHAT A GREAT PROJECT.

I AM SURE PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE EXCITED.

>>> CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN TO RESTORE THE ONLY PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SAINT JOHN.

COMMISSIONER ORIOLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES BRIEFED US ON THE RECOVERY OF THE PROJECTS.

>> WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE REPAIRS ON THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SAINT JOHN.

THE REPAIRS TO THE FACILITY ON THE 18th OF FEBRUARY, THIS WORK IS SLATED TO LAST APPROXIMATELY 100 DAYS.

WE ARE VERY ANXIOUS AND LOOK FORWARD TO REOPENING THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SAINT JOHN AND RESTORING THESE SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE O.D.R.

WEBSITE FOR A FREQUENTLY UPDATED LIST FOR OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY IS LISTING PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF THE D. HAMILTON JACKSON TERRACE AND ALPHONSO GERARD COMPLEX.

FOR INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS UP TO DATE NEWS ON ALL THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO WWW.USDI.ODR.COM.

>> THANKS FOR THAT UPDATE.

LAST MONTH WE WELCOMED OUR NEW COHOST, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH AND FINANCE AUTHORITY.

AND SHE´S BACK AGAIN.

IT´S MY PLEASURE TO ALSO WELCOME FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME MR. ROGER MERIT OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

HE´S THE HEAD HANCHO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

OF >> THANK YOU.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO MINDING ALL OF YOUR BUSINESS, WE´RE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO MISS CLENDENAN TO TELL US WHAT´S HAPPENING IN HER NECK OF THE WOODS AND HOW THE RIDE IS SO FAR.

>> I´LL LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE, VERY INTERESTING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE PLEASURE OF, THE GREAT FORTUNE OF MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS TO GIVE UPDATES ON OUR PROGRESS AS WELL.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THOSE UPDATES.

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECTS AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT THAT TODAY.

WALTER HODGE, RECENTLY SIGNED THEIR APPLICATION AWARDING SOME $22 MILLION OF CDBG FUNDS.

THAT´S PRETTY EXCITING FOR THAT COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE EMMA COTTAGE.

THAT IS HUGE.

SO WE ARE RIGHT IN ORDER TO APPROVE THAT APPLICATION.

WE UNDERSTAND AN RFP WILL BE ISSUED IN APRIL.

A LOT OF GREAT THINGS ARE COMING OUT OF THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT SISTER EMMA´S COTTAGE.

ONCE YOU HEAR "SISTER" YOU KNOW IT´S SOMETHING GOOD.

SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN AND WHO WE´RE SERVING AND WHY YOU HAVE THIS WONDERFUL SMILE ON YOUR FACE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WE ARE SERVING THE MOST AWESOME CHILDREN WE WILL EVER MEET, UNDER PRIVILEGED OR WHO ARE A CUSTODIAN OF THE GOVERNMENT.

THEY WILL HAVE A NEW FACILITY, AT LEAST 16 ROOMS OR SO TO SERVE THEM.

IT´S REALLY EXCITING WHEN WE SEE RECOVERY DOLLARS GOING TO SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY AT THE HEART OF WHO WE ARE, SO I LOVE IT.

>> ALWAYS MAKES THE HEART WARM WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO GOOD THINGS.

SPEAKING OF GOOD THINGS, HOW IS THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COMING ALONG?

>> GREAT.

ACTUALLY, WE´VE ACTUALLY APPROVED ABOUT 244 OF THOSE APPLICATIONS.

WE DO HAVE AT LEAST 141 OUT THERE THAT WE ARE REALLY PLEADING TO THE PUBLIC, IF YOU GET THE CALL, IF YOU JUST WANT TO CHECK ON YOUR STATUS, PLEASE CALL US, COME IN, COME BY AND CHECK ON YOUR APPLICATION.

ONE, AND TURN IN ANY MISSING DOCUMENTATION.

A LOT OF THE PROBLEM WE´RE HAVING IS WE DON´T HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTATION.

SO I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE COME AND VISIT, CALL OUR OFFICES, AND TURN IN THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AS WELL.

>> YOU SOUND LIKE YOU´VE BEEN BUSY.

>> HAVE TO BE.

>> GETTING A LOT OF THINGS DONE.

SO KUDOS TO YOU AND AT THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

WELL, FOR OUR FIRST-TIME GUEST, WE´RE GOING TO TREAT YOU WITH KID GLOVES TODAY.

WE HAVE -- YOU´VE RECENTLY BECOME PART OF THE BILLION DOLLAR CLUB.

>> YES.

>> YES.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND HOW A -- IT USUALLY MEANS YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE SOME GRAY HAIR POPPING OUT.

BUT ANYWAY, WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY ENTAIL FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY?

>> OH, YEAH, IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED APPROVED REPLACEMENT -- IT WAS APPROVED BY FEMA WHICH MEANS IT´S COSTING US $2 BILLION.

OUR WASTE WATER SYSTEM, SAINT CRY AND REALLY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, ANYWHERE FROM 60 TO 70 YEARS OLD.

SO PRUDENT REPLACEMENT ON ST. CROIX WILL ALLOW US TO REPLACE LITERALLY THE ENTIRE WASTE WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU SEE MANHOLES OVERFLOWING, YOU SEE SEWAGE IN THE STREETS IN CERTAIN AREAS, DEPENDING IF IT RAINS A LOT, THE LINES GET CLOGGED, WE´RE GOING TO REPLACE THE LINES AND MAKE SURE THEY´RE REPLACED AND LITERALLY THOSE ISSUES -- THE ISSUES WE´RE HAVING NOW WILL BE THINGS OF THE PAST.

SO WE´RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> I´M EXCITED.

I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> AND YOU´RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT FOR A REASON THAT IS LIKE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO YOU.

>> OH, MY GOD, IS IT EVER.

IT IS RIGHT THERE.

OUR FACILITIES IN FREDERICKSTEAD, WE ARE PLAGUED.

I WANT TO THANK YOUR TEAM FOR COMING OUT AS WE CALL.

BUT IT WILL BE GOOD TO CLEAN THAT AREA UP FOR THE FOLKS IN FREDERICK STEAD, INCLUDING MY STAFF.

>> SO YOU GOT THE DECISION FROM FEMA ABOUT ST. CROIX.

WHAT ABOUT ST. THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN?

>> ST. CROIX WAS OUR BLUEPRINT.

WE´RE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS FOR ST. THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN.

HOPEFULLY WE´LL GET APPROVAL FOR BOTH ISLANDS IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY EXCITED WITH ST. CROIX.

WE WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE APPROVAL INITIAL LYFT.

WE´RE LOOKING TO GET APPROVAL FOR THE WHOLE ENTIRE TERRITORY.

>> THIS IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING.

>> YES.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, HOW DOES ONE APPROACH DOING THE WASTE WATER SYSTEM FOR AN ENTIRE ISLAND?

AND WHAT´S THE TIME LINE?

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LEVEL WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

BUT IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME, SO WHAT IS WASTE MANAGEMENT´S APPROACH FOR -- AND WHEN THE FUNDS ARRIVE?

BECAUSE YOU DON´T ACTUALLY HAVE IT IN WASTE MANAGEMENT BANK >> RIGHT.

WE´RE IN THE PROCESS OF -- WE´RE IN THE DESIGN PHASE.

WHAT YOU DO IS YOU BREAK UP THE ISLAND.

SO FOR ST. CROIX, WE´VE BROKEN IT UP INTO 16 WATERSHEDS AND EACH WATERSHED, WE DO AN INDIVIDUAL DESIGN.

WE SUBMIT THAT TO FEMA.

THEY REVIEW IT AND APPROVE THE DESIGN.

ONCE WE GET ALL 16 DESIGNS IN, THEN AT THAT POINT THEY´LL HAVE THE COMBINATION OF DESIGNS IN, THEY´LL GIVE US A FIXED COST OFFER WHICH WE ESTIMATE TO BE ACTUALLY OVER $2 BILLION.

SO IT´S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING THOSE DESIGNS IN ORDER.

WE´RE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THOSE DESIGNS IN.

LIKE I SAID, WE´RE HOPING TO GET THE OFFER THIS SUMMER.

>> GETTING THE WORK ACTUALLY DONE.

WHEN DO YOU PROJECT WE´LL HAVE A BRAND-NEW WASTE WATER SYSTEM ON ST. CROIX?

>> IT´S A $2 BILLION PROJECT, 16 WATERSHEDS.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT.

YOU´RE TALKING PROBABLY, ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE, TEN YEARS.

WE THINK ABOUT IT, THIS IS A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING.

WE´RE ACTUALLY REPLACING A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE HERE FOR THE LAST 60, 70 YEARS.

SO YOU CAN´T REPLACE THAT OVERNIGHT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, WE´RE GOING TO -- IT´S GOING TO BE SO MUCH BETTER.

I´M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I´M EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT WE´RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MODERNIZE OUR WASTE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE NOW WILL BE THINGS OF THE PAST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, I KNOW YOUR STAFF HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO COMPLETE THE COASTAL INTRA-EXCEPTIVE PROJECT ON ST. CROIX.

OUR GROUP IS NOSEY.

WE WENT TO THE AUTHORITY ABOUT THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.

HERE´S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> WHAT THIS PROJECT DID, THIS PROJECT WENT AHEAD AND REROUTED INLAND WASTE WATER OR SEWAGE THAT´S COMING FROM -- AS FAR AS ST. CROIX BY THE SEA, COMES UP BY POMERANTZ, SILICON COVE.

FROM THERE THE WASTE WATER IS PUMPED INLAND AND GOES INTO WHAT WE CALL A TRANSITION MANHOLE LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE OF SUGAR BEACH.

FROM THERE, THE FLOW IS -- THE GRAVITY FED AND COMES INTO A MANHOLE RIGHT AT THE SEA OVER AT SUGAR BEACH.

AND THEN IT CONTINUES ALONG THE ROUTE.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS WE REMOVED APPROXIMATELY 1900 LINEAR FEET OF SEWER LINE THAT WAS IN THE SEA IN FRONT OF THE CONDOMINIUM COMPLEXES SUCH AS MID HARBOR.

ALSO WE REMOVED A TOTAL OF SIX MANHOLES THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE SEA ALSO.

THOSE WERE REMOVED.

THE PURPOSE OF DOING THIS PROJECT IS THAT THE SEWER LINE THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE SEA WAS LEAKING AND SEA WATER WAS GOING INTO THE SEWER SYSTEM.

AND EVENTUALLY THAT SALTWATER GOT INTO THE LGB PUMP STATION.

IT WAS DAMAGING THE PUMP IMPELLER.

ONCE IT BECOMES CORRODED IT BECOMES INOPERABLE.

ONCE THE PUMP IS NOT OPERATIONAL, INDIVIDUALS WITH THE AREA IN ST. CROIX, THE INTERSECTION OF KING QUALL STREET, YOU HAVE SEEN IT OVERFLOWING.

THE REASON THAT HAPPENS IS THE PUMP BECOMES OPERATIONAL.

ONCE THE IMPELLER IS CORRODED IT CAN´T PUMP WATER ANY MORE.

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY FEMA.

IT WAS PART OF THE FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM.

THE COST WAS 2.4 MILLION.

THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020.

THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY IS WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE LBJ STATION ONLINE, AND WE WON´T HAVE ANY WASTE WATER FLOWING FROM THE MANHOLES THEM OVER AT THE INTERSECTION.

>> NOW, YOU KNOW THAT´S HUGE, RIGHT?

HALF THE TIME I DON´T WANT TO DRIVE-THRU THERE.

>> WHEN I CAME OFF, I WENT AROUND BECAUSE I DIDN´T WANT TO -- >> THERE ARE THINGS WE COUNT ON.

AGAIN, HATS OFF TO THE PEOPLE AT WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WHO DO ALL THE STUFF.

WE SAW THE FOOTAGE, WHATEVER THAT WAS.

WASTE WATER.

SO IT´S A VERY CRITICAL JOB THAT YOU DO OVER THERE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT PROJECT ST. THOMAS.

SPECIFICALLY AT GARDEN STREET.

THESE CITY HEIGHTS ARE PIVOTAL STORMWATER DRAINAGE AREA.

AND JEFF WATSON, ENGINEER FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, WAS ON-SITE, AND HE GAVE US AN UPDATE.

>> THE PROJECT STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 2019 AND CONTINUED UNTIL 2021, JANUARY, COMPLETED.

THE PROJECT REPLACED OVER A THOUSAND FEET OF SEWER LINES.

22 ARE MANHOLES WERE REPLACED.

AND MORE THAN 18 LATERALS WERE REPLACED.

THE ORIGINAL PIPE, THE ORIGINAL PIPE WAS 6-INCH, 8-INCH, AND 10-INCH PIPE.

THEY WERE CAST IRON CONCRETE-MILE-PER-HOUR, WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED.

THE HURRICANES CAUSED INFLOW INTO THE SYSTEM, BLOCKING THE EXISTING LINES, CAUSING SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO THE NEW PROJECT REPLACE THESE OLD LINES WITH NEW 10-INCH SDR PVC PIPE.

ADDITIONALLY THE HOLES HAD TO BE ELEVATED TO AVOID BEING OVERWHELMED WITH THE STORMWATER, STORMWATER FLOES.

THIS MORAVIAN GUT IS MORE THAN 30 MAIN GUTS IN ST. THOMAS.

IT PROVIDES DRAINAGE, STORMWATER DRAINAGE, ALSO WASTE WATER, WASTE WATER SELECTION AND DISCHARGE TO THE TREATMENT FACILITY, TWO OTHER MAIN GLUTS, THE GARDEN STREET GUT.

THAT CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO COMPLETE, AGAIN, FUNDED BY FEMA.

AND THE SAVAN GLUT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW.

THAT CONSTRUCTION STARTED JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND WORK WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER YEAR.

>> THAT WAS FOLLOWING MOST OF THAT.

SAW THE LATERALS, YOU KNOW.

IN ESSENCE, JUST BREAK DOWN FOR OUR VIEWERS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS, WHAT HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE GUT SYSTEM THERE ON ST. THOMAS, AND WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN FOR THE RESIDENTS.

>> IT BASICALLY MEANS YOU HAVE YOUR LATERAL, SO WASTE WATER GOES THROUGH THE LATERALS.

DEPENDING IF IT´S GRAVITY FED, IT´S PUMPED OR WASTE WATER TRAVELS THROUGH THE SYSTEM GETS TO THE STATION OR WATER TREATMENT PLAN.

IT´S JUST A WAY OF US GETTING -- MOVING THE WASTE WATER SO WHEN YOU FLUSH THE TOILET, IT ACTUALLY GETS TOSH TO WHERE IT GETS CRETED?

>> WE HEARD THE WONDERFUL NOISE ABOUT WHAT YOU´RE DOING ON ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS.

WHAT ABOUT SAINT JOHN?

WHAT WONDERFUL THINGS ARE HAPPENING OVER THERE?

>> WE´RE ALSO TRYING TO GET APPROVED REPLACEMENT FOR THE SYSTEM ON SAINT JOHN.

IN THE MEANTIME WHAT WE´RE DOING IS PURCHASED NEW PUMPS FOR OUR PUMP STATION.

THEY´VE HISTORICALLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM TRYING TO BASICALLY PUMP WATER TO THE TREATMENT PLANTS THERE.

SO WE´VE GOT THOSE PUMPS.

THEY SHOULD BE COMING HERE -- ACTUALLY, BY THE END OF THIS MONTH AND NEXT MONTH.

SO WE HAVE FOUR PUMPS.

TWO WILL BE HERE BY THE END OF MARCH, THEN THE OTHER TWO WILL BE HERE IN APRIL.

SO WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

ALSO WE´RE IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLAN.

WE´RE DESIGNING THAT IN-HOUSE.

THAT DESIGN SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THIS SUMMER AND THEN WE´LL PUT THAT OUT, AN RFP TO REBUILD THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

>> GREAT.

BETWEEN ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN, ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES PRESENTED ON EACH ISLAND OR IS YOUR MANDATE REQUIREMENT STILL THE SAME, WHATEVER ISLAND THAT YOU´RE ON?

>> THE WASTE MICHAEL AVENATTI AUTHORITY IT IS TO PROVIDE WASTE WATER SERVICES FOR THE TERRITORY.

ON ST. CROIX, GEOGRAPHICALLY, I´D SAY IT´S EASIER.

BUT THERE´S 120 MILES OF WASTE WATER SEWER LINE.

ST. CROIX IS RELATIVELY FLAT, AS YOU KNOW.

SO NOW WITH ST. THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN, YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT 300 MILES OF WASTE WATER SEWER LINES.

WITH THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ST. THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN, IT´S DIFFICULT TO DO THINGS ON THE WASTE WATER SIDE AND YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING WATER TO POINT Z.

THAT DOES CREATE A REPLACEMENT IT´S GOING TO HELP ST. THOMAS AND THE TERRITORY TO MAKE SURE WE´RE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND REALLY MODERNIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT´S REALLY EXCITING.

LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE AN OUTDATED SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM.

FOR US TO COMPLETELY REPLACE IT, IT´S PRETTY EXCITING.

>> GOOD NEWS, ALL RIGHT.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, WASTE MANAGEMENT, WHEN YOU FLUSH THE TOILET, IT´S GOING TO GO UP THE HILL AND BACK DOWN.

>>> THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR LAND OF ST. THOMAS IS IMPORTANT AND MEETING THE CONDITIONS OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

WE TAKE OUR TRASH TO THE ANGUILLA LAND SALE, BUT I KNOW YOU HAD A TOWN HALL MEETING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS.

THE TIPPING FEES WERE RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF HOOPLA.

WE´RE NOSEY.

WHAT´S GOING ON?

>> SO, WE HAD THE TOWN HALL IN DECEMBER.

IT´S A LONG TIME COMING.

WE WERE THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT DIDN´T CHARGE A FEE TO UTILIZE LANDFILLS.

NOW WE´RE THE ONLY PLACE THAT CHARGES THE LOWEST FEE.

>> WE´RE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> RIGHT.

SO WHAT WE DID -- THE WAY WE HAVE THE FEE SET UP, IT´S GOING TO BE INCREASED.

IT WILL GET US CLOSER TO WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS.

IT´S HELPING US WITH OUR CONSENT DECREES.

WE´LL BE ABLE TO DO THINGS MORE OPERATIONALLY WITH THE LAND FILLS.

WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE LANDFILL.

THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED A 30-YEAR CLOSURE.

IF THE LANDFILL CLOSES NEXT YEAR OR 2025, WHATEVER YEAR IT CLOSES, FROM THAT POINT ON YOU HAVE TO MONITOR IT FOR 30 YEARS TO MAKE SURE THERE´S NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

THAT TIPPING FEE IS GOING TO HELP US CREATE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WHEN THE LANDFILL IS CLOSED, WE CAN ACCESS THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO MAKE SURE WE DO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.

IT WAS A MUCH NEEDED FEE.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS, THE FEE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE -- IF YOU´RE A BUSINESS AND YOU´RE PICKING UP TRASH AND YOU´RE CHARGING TO PICK UP THE TRASH, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE FEE BECAUSE YOU´RE BEING PAID TO DISPOSE THE TRASH.

IF YOU´RE A RESIDENT COMING TO DISPOSE OF A REFRIGERATOR, COUCH, WHAT HAVE YOU, WE´RE NOT CHARGING A FEE.

>> THAT´S A GREAT CLARIFICATION.

>> >> THANK YOU.

>> HEADLINE TOMORROW, YOU CAN STILL DUMP YOUR OLD TV.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT -- YOU HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE LOG IN FOR YOUR TOWN HALL MEETING.

CARDY´S TRUCKING HAD A QUESTION.

VERY INTERESTING TO HEAR.

>> IN TERMS OF THE FORUM, I THINK IT´S A GREAT IDEA.

IN REFERENCE TO METHODS OF PAYMENT WOULD THERE BE AN ACCOUNT THAT THE HOLLER IF WE HAVE A DRY BUZZ, A K IF YOU GO BY THE SPOT WHERE WE CAN HAVE AN ACCOUNT, A DRIVER CAN RECEIVE -- IF YOU AS A PRIVATE HAULER ARE DOING RENDERING SERVICES AS A ONE-TIME JOB FOR THE GOVERNMENT, WOULD THE COULD HAVE BE INSIST IF IT´S COMING, WHETHER METAL OR NOT METAL?

I KNOW IN THE PAST WE HAD IT BASED ON METAL AND METAL CONSTRUCTION BRUSH, WHICH IS GREEN LEAVES WOULD IT BE 2.50 PER YARD OR WOULD IT ALSO BE MATURES BY THEN THE THOUGHT QUESTION I HAVE IS PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO PALLETS.

IF WE DO EMPTY PALLETS THE PALLETS ARE NOT HEAVY, BUT THEY´RE BULKY.

AT TIMES IT CAN EXCEED THE CUBIC YARD CASE -- PERTAINING TO THE FIRST QUESTION I ASKED, WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR DRIVERS COME INTO THE LANDFILL AND YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT SET UP THAT YOU SAID YOU CAN FILL THAT TICKET -- HOW WOULD THEY ISSUE A TICKET, SOME TYPE OF DOCUMENTATION, THE KATRINA TO THEIR SITE.

HEY, YOU HAVE 50 LOANS FOR THE MONTH, AND I HAVE 46.

WHAT METHOD WOULD THERE BE TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL DISCREPANCIES?

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

A WHOLE LOT OF QUESTIONS.

YEAH, WE ACTUALLY SET UP ACCOUNTS WITH ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT COME IN THERE.

WHEN YOU COME IN, YOU HAVE A TICKET, WE CAN RECONCILE IT WITH THE BILL WE END OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION, WE CAN MAKE SURE THE TIKE ET CETERA MAXIMUM THE BILL.

-- IF YOU GET GOVERNMENT TRANSFER BUILDINGS, THE ANSWER IS YES.

IT´S KIND OF A TWOFOLD ANSWER.

IF YOU ARE PICKING UP TRASH FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT, THEN WE´RE NOT BILLING YOU THE FEE.

IF YOU´RE GOING TO CONCORDIA, WE´RE NOT BILLING YOU.

IF YOU´RE BILLING OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

THE THIRD QUESTION I THINK AS, PALLETS.

THE FEE IS $2.50 PER CUBIC YARD.

THE REASON WE DID IT ON A CUBIC YARDAGE BASIS, WHEN THE HAULERS COME INTO THE LANDFILL, THEY USUALLY HAVE A 20-YARD BIN ON THEIR CERTAIN TRUCK.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CHARGE THEM BY THE WAIT, LET´S CHARGE THEM BY THE VOLUME OF THE BIP THE, WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BILL SOMEONE.

THEY KNOW WHAT THE BILL WILL BE BEFORE THEY LEAVE T. IT WILL BE $2.50, THAT´S 20.

THEY DON´T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE CAME AND GOING BACK TO THE CUSTOMER THEY, THEY KNOW IT UP FRONT.

THAT THE´ WHY WE SET IT UP THAT WAY.

THEY AGREED WITH THE PROCESS.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL DISASTER AT SOME POINT WHEN WE WERE HAVING, WE WENT THROUGH HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA, ONE THING THAT FEMA LOOKED LIKE AUTHORITY SYSTEM IN PLACE.

HOPEFULLY THERE WON´T BE IT -- NO DISASTER.

IF WE HAVE ONE THERE IS A SYSTEM IN PLACE.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT I CALL THAT?

RESILIENCE, MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE COME, WE HAVE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES IN PLACE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS IF YOU PLAN TO CLOSE IT.

YOU HAVE A MANDATE OR SOMETHING.

CLOSE OFF THE LANDFILLS.

AND MONEY LADY OVER HERE CAN GIVE YOU MONEY TO DO THAT.

>>> BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE RESIDENTS ON THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE LANDFILL SITUATION.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK AND HEAR WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> WE GAVE ONE, THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

AND COPY OFF OF THEM.

>> IT TURNED INTO SOMETHING MODERN.

WE´RE UTILIZING SOMETHING IN THERE, NOT PRODUCING METHANE GAS AND HAVING NATS AND FLIES, EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH IT.

I DON´T KNOW WHAT THE THINKING IS OR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT IT´S NOT FIT IT IS WRONG TO HAVE THIS, AND IT´S BEEN THIS WAY THE 60 YEARS I´VE BEEN HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU´RE WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM.

>> YES.

>> AND I DON´T THINK -- WOULD IT BE SAFE FOR ME TO SAY THE LAND FILLS AREN´T THAT´S A SAFE A THIS IS -- AS ONE RESIDENT SAID, JUST LIKE OUR WASTE WATER SYSTEM, THEY´RE 50, 60 YEARS OLD, TOO.

NOW, THE RULES THAT WE CURRENTLY, AS FAR AS SOLID WASTE IS CONCERNED, IN 1993, THE RULES CHANGED WHERE WHEN YOU PERMIT A LANDFILL, YOU HAVE AN ACTUAL LINER.

IT´S ACTUALLY YOU PUT A LINER AT THE BOTTOM OF IT IF THERE´S ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES, IT DOESN´T AFFECT IT.

WE´RE GOING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT METHODOLOGIES AND HOW WE DEAL WITH TRASH HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

ONE THING, YOU KNOW, WE´RE GOING TO LOOK AT SOURCE SEPARATION, WE´RE PUTTING TOGETHER AN INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT WILL HAVE EVERY FACET OF HOW YOU DEAL WITH TRASH IN IT.

WE´RE NOT STRICTLY TLOEPG -- THROWING EVERYTHING AWAY.

WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS THE PLAN.

>> I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE FACT -- I HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER THAT WE DIDN´T HAVE AS MUCH TRASH.

NOW -- EVERYTHING HAD A PURPOSE, RIGHT.

WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR DISHES?

>> IT WAS GRASS SO WE NEEDED PLASTIC.

EVERYTHING IS PLASTIC.

HOW MANY AMAZON BOXES TO YOU GET?

ALL THAT WASTE.

>> WE FAIL TO REPURPOSE WHATEVER IT IS.

WE HAVE CONTAINERS.

CANS AND ALL THAT HAD PLANTS IN THEM.

WE TOSS EVERYTHING.

WE PRODUCE A LOT OF TRASH.

SO YOUR PLANS INCLUDE FUNDS FOR MS. CLENDENAN.

WHAT IS THE TIME LINE GETTING THINGS OVER TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

YOU HAVE HAD SOME WORK TO DO.

WESTERLY IN THE PROCESS OF APPROVING YOUR APPLICATION PROJECT CONVENIENCE CENTERS.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT, PARTICULARLY I´M GOING TO START WITH SUZANNE A BIRD.

THAT´S EXCITING IT >> OBVIOUSLY WE´RE COLLABORATING WITH THE AUTHORITY.

WE HAVE CONVENIENCE CENTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE BUILT THROUGHOUT THE THAT COME ONLINE.

SAINT JOHN IS ONE.

IT´S GOING TO BE A VERY NICE FACILITY ON SAINT TOM CATASTROPHE WE HAVE ANTHONY RELEVANT HAVEN´T HAD A CLOSE.

THAT´S A LONG WAY TO GO.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING SMITH COME ON LINE.

>> BORN FIELD?

>> YES, WANT TO HAVE THEM IN FOR COMPETITOR.

WE HAVE ONE ON ST. PETER´S, WE HAVE ONE ON MANDAL.

WHEN YOU COME TO THE CONVENIENCE CENTERS, THEY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN HELP YOU, TELL YOU WHERE TO PUT YOUR WASTE AT, MAKE SURE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND MAKE IT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE RESIDENT.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

IT´S VERY CLEAN, IT´S TIDY, GOOD JOB ON THAT.

WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF YOUR STAFFER MEMBERS, JUANITA, AND SHE´S A GRANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

SHE GAVE US INSIDE.

LET´S SEE IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU >> THE PURPOSE OF THE CONVENIENCE CENTERS IS COLLECT AND THEY DROP OFF THEIR TRASH AND IT´S SORTED IN THE CONVENIENCE CENTERS.

THERE IS SOURCE SEPARATION, WHERE A LOT OF SOURCES OF STRAIN THAT COME BEFORE THEY GO TO THE LANDFILL.

THE REASON WE DO THAT IS TOUCH-TONE FILLING UP.

AND IF WE DO SOURCE SEPARATION HERE AT SOME OF THE COLLECTION SITES, THE CONVENIENCE CENTERS, YOU WOULD FIND THAT A LOT OF THE WASTE STREAMS THAT ARE GOING INTO THE LANDFILLS ARE NOT GOING THERE ANY MORE.

WHAT WE´RE GOING TO TRY TO DO AT THE FUTURE CONVENIENCE CENTERS, OTHER LOCATIONS, MAKE SURE THE SOURCE IS THERE, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE TERRITORY.

SOME OF THE LOCATIONS ARE -- ON ST. CROIX RIGHT NOW, IS THE CONCORD I CAN´T.

WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE WEST END OF THE ISLAND.

ANOTHER LOCATION ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT, TO DEVELOPMENT WHAT YOU SEE HERE AT THE PETERS WEST LOCATION.

RIGHT NOW WHAT YOU HAVE THERE IS AN ACTUAL BEEN -- WE´RE GOING TO HAVE IT MORE SECURE, THE FENCING THAT YOU SEE HERE IS GOING TO BE LIT PROPERLY AND MANNED.

TO BUILD THESE CONVENIENCE CENTERS AND INCONVENIENCE CENTERS IT WOULD TO TAKE ONE YEAR SO IT IS IN THE -- WE HAVE A TENTATIVE DATE OF 2023.

>> SHE CORROBORATED YOUR STORY TO THE T, SO YOU GOT AN A. IT´S REALLY GOOD WORK YOU´RE DOING OVER THERE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONVENIENCE CENTER, JUST BEING ABLE TO HAVE A NICE CLEAN PLACE.

I DUMP MY TRASH AT CONCORDIA, SO I´M REALLY LOOKING ABLE TO GET WITH THE CONVENIENCE CENTER DOWN THERE AND MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITY REALLY WILL APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU KNOW, RESIDENTS ALSO LET US KNOW HOW THEY FELT -- LET´S HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

>> THERE IS A COMBINATION AND PLANS AHEAD TO DO EVERYTHING.

>> THIS ONE I LOVE.

I DRIVE OUT OF MY WAY TO WE´VE HERE IS -- IT´S CLEAN THE MEN THAT HELP HERE.

VERY HELPFUL.

IT´S A PLESSY ANT PLACE TO BE.

I DON´T GET ANY BOWLS AND NAILS IN MY TIERLZ I´VE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CYCLES, WE HAVE A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

>> WHAT CAN WE DUMP THERE, CAN YOU TAKE OLD TVs?

WHAT IS THE PROHIBITION ON WHAT YOU CAN DUMP?

CONCORDIA, THERE´S A LOT GOING ON WITH THE TIRES.

WHAT´S GOING ON WITH THE TIRES?

>> YOU CAN TAKE IT TO PETERS 9.

ONCE THEY COME ONLINE, THERE WILL BE AN AREA FOR ELECTRONIC WASTE.

THE GAME PLAN FOR US IS ONCE THOSE CONVENIENCE CENTERS COME ONLINE, THEN SHE MENTIONED SOURCE SEPARATION.

WE´LL BE ABLE TO SORT THROUGH PAPER, PLASTIC, YOUR CARDBOARD AND HAVE IT IN DIFFERENT AREAS, WE CAN SEND IT OFF, REPIKE, THAT IS BETWEEN 30 AND 40% OF THE WASTE THAT GOES INTO THE LANDFILL.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LANDFILL TERRITORY, AND WE DON´T HAVE A LOT OF LAND WHERE WE CAN CONTINUE BUILDING LAND FILLS EVERYWHERE THEY HAVE THESE LAND FOG FOR US ONCE YOU GO TO LANDFILL, YOU WANT TO USE ALUMINUM THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE.

YOU PUT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REPURPOSED.

>> IS THERE A PLACE AND OPPORTUNITY ON SAINT JOHN?

I´M ALWAYS ASKING WHERE THEY CAN TAKE THEIR SUZANNE A BURKE, AND WHEN SAVANNAH BURKE CONVENIENCE AREA, IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER FROM A SOURCE SEPARATION STANDPOINT.

>> WHAT ABOUT RECYCLING?

YOU KNOW, WE SEE PEOPLE COME OUT AND THEY DO WATER BOTTLES.

WHAT PLAN DO THEY HAVE FOR RECYCLING PROGRAMS?

>> WE HAVE RECYCLING PROGRAMS.

WE PARTNER WITH THEM HERE AND THERE.

LIKE I SAID, OUR GAME PLAN -- RIGHT NOW WE HAVE OUTSIDE OF FUNDING WITH CDBGR THOSE GRANT, WE GET 3 MILLION.

WITH THAT GRANT WE´RE LOOKING AT SOURCE RECYCLING.

THERE´S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO RECYCLE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

ONE THING I´VE TAUGHT EVERYONE, PEOPLE A LET´S START.

WE HAVE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES.

PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT´S A PROCESS A LOW LOGISTICS.

IF WE START SORTING IT, THERE IS NO END USER ON THE ISLAND.

WE HAVE TO FIND A THIRD-PARTY USER IN THE STATES.

IT´S A LOGISTICS.

AS CONVENIENCE CENTERS COME ONLINE, AND THE GRANTS WE HAVE, THERE IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMPONENT SO WE CAN EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY HOW WE´RE GOING TO DO SOURCE SEPARATION, WHAT THAT ENTAILS, SO WHEN THE ACTUAL PROGRAM COMES ONLINE, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED TO DO, MAKE SURE WE DIVERT AS MUCH AWAY FROM THE LANDFILL.

MAKE SURE THEY KNOW EVERYTHING THE BEST WAY FORWARD AND THE BEST PATH PART FOR THE TERRITORY.

IT IS CRITICAL EDUCATION IS KEY.

I KNOW YOU DID A LOTS OF SHINGLES, I THINK V.I.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, I WANTED TO CONTINUE TO THANK OUR VIEWERS WHO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING AND AFTER THE SHOW.

AND ONE OF THE RECENT VIEWERS, MR. MALIK, WANTED TO KNOW, THE UPDATE AND WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY.

WILL IT MAKE A OFFICE?

WILL THE POWER STAY ON NOW?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

NOT ONLY WILL SERVICE RELIABLE, THE GENERATORS ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP IT ON AND KEEP IT CHEAP.

IT´S GOING TO BE VERY CHALLENGING BECAUSE THE VARIOUS GAS PRICES ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BRING IT ONLINE.

WHAT ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL?

MR. JAMES -- MR. LIEU IS, THE I.D.

STARTS THE PROJECT 2023.

THEY HAD SOME BIGGER FISH TO FRY.

OBLIGATION FROM PHOENIX, WHICH IS THE ARTHUR RICHARDS HIGH SCHOOL ON ST. CROIX.

WE ALSO COMPLETE THE -- I KNOW IT IS A TODAY, WORKING FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE DONE MASTERFULLY WELL ON OUR FIRST SHOW.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING OUR GUEST.

SO ANY PARTING WORDS?

I´LL JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS COMMITTED TO MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE THE TERRITORY FORWARD, ONE OF OUR MANTRAS IS HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHILE WE´RE GOING TO THE STAGE GOING FROM THE TESTIFY SYSTEM TO RECYCLING.

WE HAVE GOALS.

AS THESE CONVENIENCE CENTERS COME -- I´M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PATH THAT WE´RE GOING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF.

WE HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF THAT GO OUT THERE, WHETHER IT´S AN ISSUE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT OR DEALING WITH ILLEGAL DUMP US THERE´S AREAS THEY HAVE TO GO, WE HAVE BILL LEGALLY KILLED THEY´LL GO OUT THERE AND CLEECH I APPRECIATE ABSOLUTELY.

WE INTERACT WITH THEM AND SHOUT OUT TO JUANITA AND ELOISE.

A MYRIAD OF OTHERS HELP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND IT´S LIKE, THANK YOU.

ALL I HAD TO SAY, THANK YOU.

SO WHILE WE´RE ON THE TOPIC OF SHADOWS, WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

FROM YOU, TELL US.

WHAT´S YOUR GOAL FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY I´M GONNA SAY TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

>> THE NEXT TWO YEARS ON THE WASTE WATER SIDE, HOPEFULLY WE WOULD HAVE SAINT JOHN.

WE HOPE WE RECEIVE A PROPOFOL FROM BOTH.

ON THE SOLID WASTE SIDE, THE CONVENIENCE, GRANT MONEY YOU CAN HELP US OUT WITH.

AND WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING.

SEPARATION.

DIVERGENCE TRASH FROM THE LANDFILL.

IT WILL LAST LONGER.

IT WILL BASICALLY ALLOW US TO DO WHAT WE SHOULD BE DO WITH OUR WASTE, AND REPURPOSE AND REUSE THOSE PARTICULAR WASTE THINGS TO DO SOMETHING BIGGER AND BETTER.

>> WONDERFUL.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT´S IT.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING FUN.

BUT YOU CAN STATE UP TO DATE WITH US OF WHAT´S GOING ON, THE LATEST AT U.S. ODR.COM OR YOU CAN KEEP THIS AND READ UP ON THE RECOVERY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >> Announcer: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.