Minutes - 20081117 - Transfer Station

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generated for the towns in which scenic byways are located. Sites #857 and #573 in Hillsborough are located directly at a scenic byway entrance. She read part of an advertisement for a scenic byway. She said that there are financial benefits of maintaining the byways to the local economy. She stated statistics for tourism dollars generated by scenic byways. Kristin Palazz is from Hillsborough. She said that this siting process should slow down. She said that there are numerous progressive ideas and community issues that must be considered before making final decisions. She said that Orange County has been known as a progressive community and the choices made today will affect the economic status of our county. Jim Garland is a fishery biologist and operates the only aquaculture facility in the proximity of sites #857 and #573, which are being considered for a transfer site. He is concerned about the repercussions of such a site. He said that sunfish, catfish, and tilapia could seriously be impacted by this — along with the plankton, which is extremely important to the food chain. He said that possible seepages, spills, and filtrations of contaminants could impair the function of fish culture and propagation. He believes that a more comprehensive, detailed, and in-depth study should be undertaken in the selection process. He suggested alternatives such as an energy producing facility, whereby waste is separated and/or incinerated or recycled. He pledged his assistance, advice, and recommendations. Mayor Tom Stevens brought greetings from the Hillsborough Town Commissioners. He spoke about sites #857 and #573, which are the sites in the Hillsborough EDD. He said that the Town Board was pleased when these sites were removed. He said that he is here to remind the County Commissioners that he hopes these sites stay off the site list. He said that these two sites, if used, would have a huge impact on Hillsborough's strategic plan. Tatiana Zybin lives in Hillsborough. She said that disposal of garbage and those who plan the disposal of garbage should think about the long-term impact on the immediate vicinity of the site. She said that such a facility should not be located in any EDD. She said that citizens should be aware of decreasing the amount of garbage. She suggested alternatives such as converting waste to energy. Myra Gwin-Summers said that a review of the sites identified by Olver shows that the majority of the sites are zoned residential. This is a bit confounding given the driving force behind this process was to move Orange County's solid waste operations away from neighborhoods. She said that if it was unjust to put the solid waste operation in a residential zone 30-some years ago, it is equally unjust to put it in a residential area today. She said that locating the transfer station in an industrial area and adjacent to the railway system would be the best option. She asked the County Commissioners to think outside the box and not feel boxed into a corner by being bound to the current process and its selection of sites. Robert Summers said that municipal waste will only grow over time and landfills and waste stations are temporary fixes. He suggested looking at the long-term and not wasting money on short-term fixes. He spoke in support of alternatives to disposal. He said that Europe is moving away from landfills and toward recycling, composting, and waste to energy facilities. Orange County is a progressive community that needs to look at a cost-effective solution. Rev. Robert Campbell said that he wanted to remind the Board and the public that the residents of the Rogers and Eubanks Road communities stand together with all communities in the County because the Coalition to End Environmental Racism (CEER) does not want the disproportionate and adverse burdening of facilities to happen in any community. Rogers- Eubanks Neighborhoods Association (RENA) and CEER members want to continue to work to promote responsible and equitable solutions for the handling and disposal of waste and pollution in all of Orange County. He listed the things that the Rogers and Eubanks Road