JACKSON BOARD POSTPONES DECISION ON LANDFILL

JACKSON -- A decision by the Jackson Board of Aldermen on a lease-purchase of its landfill to a private operator was delayed for at least one week Monday.

The delay came after a third solid-waste-disposal operator asked for more time to make a proposal to the board.

The board met in special session on Monday to discuss the sale-lease of the landfill and to hear from nearby property owners who oppose the sale of the landfill to a private operator.

Steve Gardner of Lemmons Waste Disposal Systems Inc. of Dexter, which is owned by Allied Waste Management, told the board he only recently learned of the city's plan to enter into a long-term lease-purchase agreement with a private operator to take over the landfill.

"We believe we can put together an attractive package for you," said Gardner. Rich Bowen, engineering consultant for the city on the landfill project, told Lemmons to submit its proposal to the city by Friday so it can be considered at the board's regular meeting on Feb. 7.

Two other private solid-waste contractors, Browning-Ferris Inc., of Marion, Ill., and Continental Waste Management of Cape Girardeau, have already submitted proposals to the city to take over operation of the landfill and make the necessary and expensive improvements that would bring the landfill into compliance with stricter Environmental Protection Administration Subtitle D regulations that take effect on April 9.

Meanwhile, some 30 people representing 15 homes along or near County Road 341 near the landfill voiced their objections to the sale of the landfill to a private operator during Monday's meeting.

Spokesman for the group, Glenn Birk, said his chief concern is with the trash and debris that blows onto the country road in front of his house from uncovered trucks en route to the landfill. He also complained about debris that blows onto his property from the adjoining landfill.

Birk and other property owners also expressed concerns about the increase in truck traffic and the damage they will cause to the county road, and about possible contamination to nearby private wells.

Bowen said all of the group's concerns about the landfill are covered in the new EPA Subtitle D regulations that govern the operation of landfills.

Said Bowen: "Eventually, it's going to be much better out there after April 9. As far as the blowing debris is concerned, I think what you will see out there is a chain-link fence much higher than what you have right now."

Mayor Paul Sander said the city would also address some of the concerns the group has raised in any contractual agreement that the city signs with a private operator.

Sander said he understands the concerns of those who live near the landfill, but, "We must also keep in mind our responsibilities to the 10,000 people who live in Jackson."