Residents raise stink over dump State planners fail to pacify group

OLD TOWN – Residents concerned about the proposed West Old Town landfill were not pacified by a public information meeting sponsored by the State Planning Office Wednesday evening. But it appears they may get their way in the end.

Alton resident Debbie Gibbs, a member of the group called We The People that opposes the landfill, explained that after causing a “ruckus” at the State House in Augusta on Wednesday morning, a group of legislators said they were willing to try and get the Board of Environmental Protection to grant residents the desired public hearing.

The state is in the process of purchasing the West Old Town Landfill for $25 million from Georgia-Pacific Corp. as part of what G-P and state officials are calling the “cornerstone of strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the future viability of the Old Town mill.”

G-P Controller Rick Douglass said Wednesday night that without the deal, the mill surely wouldn’t survive. But residents aren’t convinced the 150 jobs that would be saved outweigh the downfalls and long-term effects of the proposed landfill.

The meeting, held at the Old Town Elks Club, was intended to be primarily an environmental meeting to discuss the amendment application currently before the Department of Environmental Protection.

DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher assured residents that this was “not a done deal.” With her name being the one that would go on the permit, she assured those in attendance that she didn’t want to approve anything without hearing from the community and assuring the integrity of the DEP and herself.

The purchase and sale agreement for the proposed site between G-P and the state was signed on Nov. 20, 2003. The DEP is now reviewing the amendment application and plans to complete that process by mid-February.

The state has chosen Vermont-based Casella Waste Systems, the only bidder on the project, to operate the landfill.

We The People formed last week as public concern regarding health, safety and environmental factors surrounding the proposed landfill grew. The group, in addition to other concerned residents, is requesting further scientific testing of water quality and environmental impact to the land and air in addition to the public hearing.

At a formal public hearing, testimony is taped, witnesses are sworn in and can be cross-examined, and it doesn’t allow for the same kind of public interaction as Wednesday night’s session did, according to Gallagher.

“We want to know why the hell you people haven’t done your job,” Charlie Gibbs of Alton said at Wednesday night’s meeting, demanding answers from the various parties involved in planning for the landfill.

Residents are concerned that the state hastily accepted the only bid it received to operate the mill and that the company does not have a satisfactory track record.

“This is a company that’s absolutely committed to doing things the right way,” Casella President Jim Bohig said in his company’s defense.

During his remarks, Gibbs mentioned the animosity at Wednesday night’s meeting, which could be felt and seen throughout the room as emotions ran high on both sides of the table.

With approximately 300 people in attendance, Old Town police were called in shortly after the 6:30 p.m. meeting began to make sure things didn’t get out of control after a few residents started to get a little rowdy, Sgt. Mike Hashey said.

As accusations flew from one side of the issue to the other, one resident could be heard saying, “This is going to get nasty.”

The meeting continued past 9:30 p.m. as residents continued to ask specific questions and make comments to landfill, mill and state officials.

“We’re not going down without a fight,” Gibbs said.