Article from MassLive
Published: Jul. 20, 2023, 1:43 p.m.
By Jim Russell | Special to The Republican
Casella Waste Systems Inc. told the town’s board of selectmen July 18 that it plans to reopen Hardwick landfill by 2028 should the company secure needed permits and obtain zoning approval.
During the remote-access meeting, Brian G. Oliver, region vice president for Casella, told the board that the company envisions a 38-acre footprint at its Patrill Hollow Road location.
”We expect about 50 trucks a day” delivering waste to Hardwick Landfill, Oliver said. Projected operating hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
He said the business plan includes the site accepting on average 1,125 tons of waste per day. That would include household trash, municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris. Combined, the annual total of waste would be about 350,000 tons.
Revenue to the town would include a $6-per-ton tipping fee, or about $2.1 million annually, according to Oliver, subject to the board and company negotiating a host community agreement. Additionally, the company would pay $500,000 per year to dispose the liquid that leaches out from the landfill at the Gilbertville municipal wastewater treatment plant, he said.
Oliver said there is capacity to operate for up to 13 years, should the landfill reopen.
Casella ceased operations at Hardwick Landfill following a vote at a January 2007 town meeting that rejected a zoning amendment that Casella sought to continue operating. Although more than half of the approximately 1,000 residents attending that town meeting said yes, a zoning amendment required a 2/3 vote to take effect.
The Vermont-based company was founded in 1975 as Casella’s Refuse Removal.
Hardwick board of selectmen said they plan to meet to begin discussion on the matter.
Selectman Eric W. Vollheim said this was the first time the board had seen what the company was proposing. The other two board members, H. Robert Ruggles, the chair, and Vice Chair Kelly Kemp said they are in process of checking conflict of interest rules and laws to ensure their participation on the landfill matter is proper and in order.
To answer questions the public may have, Oliver said “we will definitely have informational meetings [with residents], for sure.”
He also said the local company David G. Roach & Sons “will be involved in landfill operations.”
Comments