The Hampden Town Council will shortly decide whether or not to enter into an agreement with Pine Tree Landfill Inc., which operates the landfill at Interstate Exit 44.

Under this proposed agreement, the landfill’s operator would provide a package of benefits to Hampden, the landfill’s host community. This package includes payments to the town of between 75 cents to $1.85 for every ton of debris deposited.

In return, the town would agree to increase by 30 feet the permitted height of the landfill mound, and to allow future landfill expansion applications to go forward in a way that will not “limit capacity or adversely impact the continued operation of the facility.”

Under the agreement’s terms, the benefit package will be withdrawn if the Town Council finds it necessary to place restrictions on the landfill’s continued operations.

Hampden’s citizens should be uncomfortable with this agreement. In the past, the town has judged expansion applications solely against the town’s zoning ordinance. While this new agreement does not undo the zoning ordinance, it makes clear that host community benefits relating to the current expansion will be withdrawn if the town holds up expansion.

Future expansion plans should be considered by the council on their merits, not on financial enticements offered by the applicant. If you live in Hampden and agree, please contact your town councilors.

Michael Hastings

Hampden