Waste district wants to stay informed about landfill
The Times-Reporter
BOLIVAR - Area officials asked to be kept in the loop about any problems regarding I-77 and a nearby landfill.
At Friday’s meeting of the board of directors of the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District, Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl asked the district to contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. He wants to make sure the district is kept informed about any landfill settlement in the west slope of Countywide Recycling and Disposal facility and any additional measures to be taken. He said OEPA has made it an issue.
Nothing else was mentioned at the meeting about possible problems involving I-77 near the landfill north of Bolivar as reported earlier in the week. Landfill officials distributed press releases prior to the meeting that said the company “continues to evaluate the settlement in the west slope and have found no evidence that there is any threat to the public or nearby infrastructure including I-77.” The release said there is about 1,000 feet of ground between the landfill and the highway.
Stark County commissioners Todd Bosley, Tom Harmon and Jane Vignos did not attend Friday’s meeting. It was said they were attending other meetings.
In other business, the district hired a Wayne County education specialist and approved a pay increase for Wendy Bullock, Stark County education specialist. Joanna Weaver was hired as Wayne County education specialist at $12.50 per hour. She is a graduate of Ashland University with a degree in education. She will serve a 120-day probationary period and then her position will be reviewed. Bullock will receive a 1.5 percent increase in pay from her current $12.50 per hour.
Abbuhl, who is chairman of the board’s personnel committee, said Bullock is doing an excellent job.
It was reported that board chairman and Tuscarawas County Commissioner Kerry Metzger, Wayne County Commissioner Cheryl Noah and district Executive Director David Held testified in Stark County Common Pleas Court on Aug. 8 before Judge Richard D. Reinbold Jr. to defend rules that set restrictions on area landfills. The rules were approved by the board last December.
The lawsuit by the National Solid Waste Management Assn. said the district does not have any right to impose mandatory rules on landfills. The rules state that landfills must minimize odors, dust, noise and vibration. The rules also limit hours of operation and require landfills to monitor groundwater and develop plans for litter collection, emergency situations and odor control.
Thomas Connors, legal counsel for the district, maintained during the hearing before the judge that local government has the authority to set rules. Held said it is not known if the rules can be enforced under the current solid waste plan. Held said the judge is expected to make a decision in late October or early November.
In other business, board members:
– HEARD that Stark County was the only one to accept tires during the recent hazardous waste collections in the district. The nearly 210 tons of tires were sent to a shredding company and then to Orrville to be made into fuel. Held said the line was a half-mile long to drop off computer and electronic waste. The items filled 20 trucks.
– DISCUSSED, but took no action, on the purchase of a recycling truck for Wayne County at a cost of $200,000. It would be owned by the district.
– DIRECTED the district chairman to sign an engagement letter with Black McCuskey legal firm at Canton and Dover to appeal a ruling by the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission that approved expansion plans at Countywide.
– SET the next board meeting for Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the district office at Wilkshire Hills.
