Solid Waste Board approves incinerator project

Landfill executive director Joseph Pence said the system will provide more bang for the buck for the landfill and that it will help get rid of wood products. Before the meeting, officials said the landfill takes in about 21.6 tons from large haulers each week and that in addition to getting rid of the wood waste, it would also help with yard waste and individual wood products.

The system would also help get rid of about two to four tons of waste per hour, or about 16 to 24 tons a day, Pence said. Also, having the new system will allow for fewer trips to the hill at the landfill as well as save on cubic inches at the landfill.

In other action, the board approved a revision in its solid waste plan. The revised plan removes a $40 per ton amount. Officials said the $40 per ton amount could have a negative impact on residents and that the plan calls for the landfill to go to a weight-based system in the future in the next five to 10 years.

The board also voted to approve spending $25,000 for solar panels for the leachate system at the landfill. The project would be paid for through the landfill’s capital or repairs budget, with $13,000 of the amount going toward equipment and $6,000 each going toward housing and installation.

Board members also received several upcoming projects including the purchase of a one-acre plot of land near the landfill as well as a wheel-washing system at the landfill.

The board also met in executive session for roughly 40 minutes to discuss issues at the landfill.

While not discussing specifics, officials said no action was taken, that the discussion involved standard operating procedures at the landfill and to make sure Pence was aware of the wishes of the board on the issue.