Solid waste plant issues cause stink in Rockland

ROCKLAND – Issues surrounding the city’s solid waste facility are piling up.

Foul odors, disposal fees, recycling enforcement and making the place more user-friendly are among concerns facing residents and city officials these days.

While an odor abatement study is under way to pinpoint the source of foul odors emanating from the landfill quarry – particularly stench from hydrogen sulfide – the City Council is wrangling with residents over pay-per-bag fees for noncommercial customers and per-ton disposal fees for commercial haulers.

At Monday’s council meeting, City Manager Tom Hall reported air sampling at the landfill has begun.

CMA Engineers of Kennebunk was awarded a $90,800 contract last month to conduct an odor abatement study at the landfill. Councilors accepted a $25,000 contribution Monday from FMC Corp. to help pay for that work.

FMC chipped in because of its role at the landfill. The seaweed processor disposes its waste product at the landfill, which emits the hydrogen sulfide when the it is not promptly spread by city dump workers. Other landfill wastes produce hydrogen sulfide odor, too, city officials have said.

Besides identifying the sources and characteristics of the landfill gasses, CMA will make recommendations on mitigation and will provide accompanying cost estimates. Hall expects an odor report in hand sometime in August.

In addition, CMA will complete an “accelerated filling evaluation,” Hall said, which means it will look at the feasibility of drawing outside customers in to fill the quarry sooner and estimate when the landfill would close and closure costs.

“Ideally, we’d like an endowment fund,” Hall said, pointing to future landfill closure and post closure maintenance costs.

Before councilors approved a disposal fee schedule, a resident suggested they take a broader look at solid waste issues before implementing fees. His push was to educate the public to reduce the solid waste stream by reuse and recycling.

City officials approved those disposal fees Monday that will take effect no later than Sept. 1, unless voters successfully overturn the pay-as-you-throw program. Opponents’ 728-signature petition has forced a June 13 referendum seeking to repeal the council’s action.