Mayors support bill to purchase heavy equipment

by Krystal Paco

Guam - Legislation that would allow for the purchase of heavy equipment for the Mayors Council of Guam for the collection and disposal of recyclables, junk cars, green waste and other debris in the villages went up for a public hearing Thursday.

Bill 220 introduced by Senator Rory Respicio received full support from the island's mayors including Sinajana mayor Robert Hoffman. "When we have to contract heavy equipment, it's hard to find somebody who's willing to do it for the government, let alone who's available because there's so many construction projects on Guam that's why this pass typhoon Francisco and the heavy rains before it was hard to find heavy equipment," he said.

He told lawmakers only three villages have heavy equipment so mayors constantly have to borrow. Bill 220 would require the Mayors Council and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to collaborate on development of an operational plan for its implementation and appropriates $2 million from the Recycling Revolving Fund for the equipment purchase.