Frustration builds in landfill deliberations

OLD TOWN – Poor communication among residents, town officials and the state has led to frustration for some when it comes to the proposed West Old Town Landfill.

“How things are communicated in this town really disturbs me,” Stan Levitsky, a member of We the People and a resident of Old Town, said at Thursday night’s City Council meeting. He requested that the council share information they have regarding the landfill project with residents.

Members of We The People, a group opposed to and seeking more information on the landfill deal, as well as other concerned residents, also voiced disapproval of the council’s public support of the landfill project.

“I just feel that the city council is not looking out for my best interests,” said Robert Campbell of Old Town.

Council Chairman Alan Stormann disagreed.

“People favor what the council has done for the most part,” he said. “I think we’re doing as good a job as we can.”

Concerned residents also requested that town officials look into creating ordinances to protect residents from what they fear will be harmful air emissions from the biomass boiler Georgia-Pacific Corp. intends to install at the mill to help reduce energy costs.

“We’re very concerned about the fact that the biomass boiler will be right in the center of town,” Levitsky said.

In other business, councilor Scott Cates was chosen to serve as the council’s liaison for the joint Alton-Old Town Landfill Liason Committee. The committee is composed of four Old Town and two Alton residents.

The council also gave Chairman Alan Stormann authority to appoint an ad hoc committee that will deal with the establishment of the West Old Town Landfill host community agreement in accordance with state statutes.

Members will negotiate with Casella Waste Systems Inc., the chosen operator for the landfill, and bring recommendations to the council for ratification.

The committee will consist of individuals from the already existing joint landfill committee, other representatives from Old Town and a couple of councilors. Stormann said the city attorney Robert Miller and Town Manager John Lord would likely be involved as well. Stormann expects to make appointments to the committee as early as the April 5 council meeting.