Minutes - 20081117 - Transfer Station

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from site #779 and #056 is what produced the two-acre pond on their property. She wonders if birds will be able to drink this pond water after a waste station is built on one of these sites. She said that her family had an American dream 10 years ago with a home and a business, and now their dreams may be coming to an end. She asked the County Commissioners to take at least another 90 days to review this project and reconsider the chosen sites. Judi Loberg owns a business at 5501 NC 54 W. She has a retreat center, The Rigmor House, at a cost of $500,000 to conduct personal growth workshops and to house her personal psychotherapy office. She chose this place because it was so rural and peaceful. Her center has been used for a variety of different events, and as such, she was required to make renovations at a cost of $100,000. She said that she would be forced to close The Rigmor House if the transfer station is built at site #779 because of the increase of noise and smell. She asked the County Commissioners to take at least 90 days to reconsider this. Larry Curcio has a Ph. D in Toxicology with 30 years of experience in Public Health, environmental services, safety, and the human environment. He is not a consultant. He asked how the integrity of the containment of trash and storm water would be monitored and corrected. He asked many environmental questions, which were on his handout (incorporated). He listed the human and environmental health hazards associated with MSW facilities, including transfer facilities. Some include, PCBs, carcinogens, toxic heavy metals, PAHs, etc. He asked some Quality of Life questions, shown below: - How will the transfer station repel birds, rats, and flies? - How will the transfer station prevent traffic congestion? - How will the transfer station prevent roadway deterioration? - How will the transfer station prevent litter and windblown trash? - How will the transfer station control noise? - How will the transfer station control odors and particulate air pollution? - How will storm water and aquifer stability be managed? He spoke in support of sustainability and looking at waste to energy facilities. Susan Walser used to live off of Dodsons Crossroads on Western Park Lane. She is a realtor and drives the rural roads almost daily. She said that these roads are not made for heavy traffic and have vulnerable traffic such as bike riders, school buses, and farm equipment. There is a lot of illegal passing on these roads. She asked the County Commissioners to take into account these safety issues and to delay the decision for at least 90 days. Maria Tadd said that there are so many industrial areas in the County that are far more suitable than the three proposed sites. She asked why anyone would want to turn farmland into a wasteland. She spoke in support of a waste to energy facility and cooperation between other counties. Rick Eckberg is a resident of Bingham Township and said that it is clear that no one wants this waste transfer station in their neighborhood. He spoke in support of a waste to energy site as a solution, which would produce electric power. According to the EPA, waste to energy facilities produce power with minimal environmental impact. This makes garbage a renewable, green resource. He spoke of the specifics of how waste to energy facilities work. He urged Orange County to consult with environmental experts as part of any analysis of waste treatment. Fred White said that he and his wife fled Durham to Orange County about 12 years ago and they live in Bingham Township. He said that Orange County leads the State in recycling, and this decision was made by looking into the future. He urged the County Commissioners