Township 14 landfill draws opposition from commissioners

The Washington County Commissioners have come out in opposition to the construction and demolition debris landfill in Township 14 as presently proposed by the developer, Marion Transfer Station Inc.

In an August 9 letter to Milan Jamieson of the Marion Transfer Station, County Manager Linda Pagels Wentworth notes that the commissioners had submitted a letter in support of the zone change for the project on the grounds of supporting economic development in Washington County. "However, the commissioners did not have enough information at that time to support or oppose the proposed landfill project." With more information about the proposal, the commissioners decided to oppose the landfill "in its current configuration." They cite three concerns, including the track record of the Marion Transfer Station management team in operating the present landfill, which they describe as a facility "designed for 20 years which will be filled in approximately six years due to a major change in the organization's business plan after permitting was completed." They also are concerned about the project's proximity to water tables and significant water bodies and about "the lack of re-investment and investment strategies from the current facility revenues."

Chris Gardner, chairman of the commissioners, says they want to make sure that the construction of a new landfill "is the best use of the people's investment." While the commissioners originally supported the rezoning to allow the review process to go forward, they did not state that they supported the project itself. If reasonable answers are given to the commissioners' concerns, they likely will remove their objections, he says.

The commissioners have asked to meet with all of the Marion Transfer Station's representatives from the 16 member towns. The meeting will be open to the public. "We want to see if there should be a reassessment," says Gardner.

Through the county's unorganized territories, which belong to the transfer station, the commissioners "are a 1/16th member of the board," but they also have an overall umbrella to consider matters that affect the entire county, Gardner says. Dean Preston, the supervisor of the unorganized territories, is helping the commissioners look into questions about the proposal. "We're looking at what the votes were," says Gardner, adding that the commissioners want to ensure that the transfer station's board is representing its members.

While the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission has approved rezoning 120 acres in Township 14 to allow for the construction of a secure landfill for construction and demolition debris, an appeal of the decision to superior court is planned by the Clean Water Coalition, the only intervenor in the rezoning process. The review process for the landfill will be continuing through the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, which will have to grant a determination of public benefit and a solid waste license in order for the project to proceed.