Minutes - 20090122 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jack Fowle lives on Teer Road. He is concerned about the costs of the proposed Transfer Station, both direct and indirect costs. Specifically, he has concerns about the impact on wells and roads. He urged the County Commissioners to look at land that has already been developed, is much closer to highways, etc. Ronnie Kirk said that this area has been burdened with the Cane Creek Reservoir, the OWASA sludge disposal area, and now there is the possibility of an airport. He said that all of these things serve mostly Chapel Hill and Carrboro. He said that this area has lost farmland and rural character. Robert Campbell said that a citizen advisory board would be an ideal thing but it would not do any good if the advisory board does not have any power. He said that if an advisory board is created for citizens on NC 54, then there should also be one for Eubanks-Rogers Road because there has been some construction in this area that the Planning Board had to stop because of some violations. He said that the citizens need empowerment. Bonnie Hauser spoke on behalf of Orange County Voice. She said that many residents are against siting a transfer station in the rural residential area and in direct contradiction with the Comprehensive Plan. She spoke about an economically feasible alternative, using a waste management vendor. She made reference to the report on the orange sheet from Orange County Voices, which had been made available by Commissioner Gordon, suggests that the County could save millions of dollars by using vendors rather than building a transfer station. She summarized the specific figures in the report. She said that if the County retained a vendor, no new facilities would have to be built anywhere. She said that the vendors are ready to offer formal and informal proposals to the County. The vendors can offer contracts ranging from six months to several years. She said that Orange County Voice would be happy to review this proposal with staff. She said that vendors would offer flexibility, quality, and cost effective service on an interim basis at least. Tom Schopler said that he supports what Bonnie Hauser just presented. He said that he does not agree with the Community Advisory Group charge. He suggested having Orange County Voice and others to have representation of people all around. Wallace Williams is a resident of Bingham Township and said that this is a rural area and is not for commercial sites. He said that it is unconscionable and environmentally unjust to increase dumping on an area that has a lower population by those who have the higher population. This area relies on well water for its primary water source. He asked the County Commissioners to reconsider other options. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the information on potential landfill destinations and said that there were 40 days during the break and no one made any contacts about this. He does not understand why no contacts were made because it was part of his motion to bring back information on this. Regarding the advisory group, he said that he and Commissioner Pellisier talked today about ways to improve the charge to address development safety, etc. He thinks that part of the charge needs to address benefits and things like the 3R fee and waiving this for residents, paying some mitigation, etc. He said that he would also like to talk with Chatham County because it is discussing the future of its solid waste at this time. He hopes that the Board can do something along the lines of having a motion to investigate on a parallel track, the siting of a transfer station as determined, possible alternative approaches, partnerships, and methodologies for solid waste disposal in Orange County. This is broad enough to include discussions with Chatham County. Also, Commissioner Jacobs said that, if the County cannot get the acreage that is needed, he would like to put in a conservation easement. He wants to proceed in a way that makes it clear that Orange County is not going to site another landfill.