HAMPDEN – Most of those attending Friday night’s meeting of the Hampden Citizens’ Coalition – a group opposed to expanding the Pine Tree Landfill in their town – agreed on two things: They support the initial plan to close the massive facility, and they are tired of the landfill.

Although the group said they are positive about the closure plan, they remained cautious, especially in regard to the monitoring of the facility once the gates are closed and the fear of litigation.

Six townspeople attended the meeting, seizing the opportunity to speak with Town Manager Susan Lessard, gain information on the closure plan, and voice concerns.

Everyone present agreed that a firm closure date is exactly what many Hampden residents have wanted for some time.

“The first thing to do is stop what’s coming in,” resident Mark Goff said. “We have to stop the source before we have the problem go away. I think you’re [Lessard] on the right track.”

On Tuesday, councilors will discuss the closure proposal, which states the landfill will limit the variety of waste accepted by mid-2007 and no longer accept any waste after Dec. 31, 2009. It also outlines that the entire facility will close by early 2010.

Lessard assured the coalition that Casella Waste Systems Inc., the company that owns the landfill, agrees with the plan and will honor any decision made. Department of Environmental Protection officials said Wednesday that they are aware of the plan and would carefully consider the closure if the town supports the concept.

Although the council will discuss the plan, decisions are left to the DEP.

One of the largest concerns for those in attendance at the municipal building is the fate of the landfill after it is closed.

Coalition member Norm Thurlow mentioned that it may be in the town’s best interests to have the facility open long enough for Casella to address gas migration and water contamination issues.

Casella does have to maintain the facility for 30 years after its closure, Lessard pointed out, noting that the company just completed testing the gas extraction system.

Initially the group was concerned by the proposed closure design, which includes creating a steeper slope, resulting in approximately 800,000 tons of additional space for Casella to fill with waste.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” Thurlow asked the group. “They’re going to get an additional 800,000 tons, which they are probably going to get anyway, and we make an honest effort to close this thing.”

If the closure plan becomes a reality, it stipulates the town and Casella could consider renegotiating Hampden’s host community benefits. Casella gave these benefits to the community for hosting the landfill in town. Some of the benefits include tax reimbursement for residents who live within a designated distance from the landfill, as well as the town receiving payment per ton of waste brought through the gates at Pine Tree.

Between mid-January 2002 and March 2006 the town received $2.8 million, 50 percent of which it set aside to pay for consultant engineers who continue to monitor the facility.

“I just hope we have put money aside to help address leakage problems, so if a problem arises we can do something active to stop it,” Thurlow said.

Most coalition members said they left the meeting with Lessard feeling positive about the plan.

“I think residents in Hampden are sick and tired of the landfill, tired of the odor, tired of the continuous quest for expansion and tired of the fight,” resident Jim Feverston said. “If this [brings] an end in sight where there is a peaceful exit for both parties … I have an open mind.”