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With that extra year of projected use for the landfill, revisit the whole long-term issue of <br /> what to do with our trash. <br /> Use the talents and local knowledge of the County staff. Explore a regional approach <br /> to dealing with our trash. The possibility of working with Durham should be carefully <br /> considered. Cost and efficiency are important considerations in this decision. But think in <br /> terms of long-term costs, not just land acquisition, construction, and one-time expenses. If the <br /> Waste Transfer Station is the best solution we have, then recognize that the parameters have <br /> changed since the original specifications were established for siting a waste transfer station. <br /> Look for several smaller sites near the main generators of trash and near the interstates. <br /> Continue our County's leadership in developing innovative ways to deal with our solid waste. <br /> Now is the time to accept the gift of time you have been granted and think creatively <br /> and strategically about long-term solutions. This County has done it before and can be a <br /> leader again." <br /> Mike Hughes is a civil engineer and he is speaking for Orange County Voice. He made <br /> reference to the wetlands on the Howell property. He said that this site should have been <br /> excluded according to the original criteria. He said that the source of water that feeds these <br /> wetlands includes vernal pools. He spoke about the adverse affects of this transfer station to <br /> the vernal pools. <br /> Charles Viles read a letter. <br /> "Dear Board of County Commissioners, <br /> I am Charles Viles, parent at the Emerson Waldorf School (EWS) and a member of its <br /> Board of Directors. I thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight, though I am <br /> disheartened to be here in front of you to discuss not one but TWO sites that are being <br /> proposed along Millhouse Road. Both of these sites are grossly unacceptable from a social <br /> and community impact perspective. <br /> We have discussed the first site on Millhouse Road (site 744 or option B) at two <br /> previous BOCC meetings. It is far too close to a working school and the daily educational and <br /> athletic activities that occur on fields and gardens directly adjacent to 744. There are serious <br /> traffic issues related to trucks traveling on Millhouse. Neighborhood legal counsel identified a <br /> host of issues regarding the actual viability of this site for a Waste Transfer Station. It is a poor <br /> choice. <br /> The second site on Millhouse Road (option D) was introduced to the public just last <br /> week. It's about 1/4 mile away from site 744. Our traffic concerns related to this site are even <br /> greater than for the town-owned site. The entrance is closer to Emerson and requires trucks to <br /> cross the RR tracks to dump their waste. This 10-acre tract directly abuts the existing landfill <br /> whose front entrance is on Eubanks Road. It is unbelievable that the BOCC has twice rejected <br /> the existing landfill as a viable site, yet County staff now proposes a tract directly adjacent to <br /> that site as one of only 4 options remaining. <br /> The County's memo states the following in its summary, `....Efforts in this process <br /> cannot be viewed as anything but comprehensive; open to review and community <br /> involvement.' Really? That is NOT the view from those who live or go to school along <br /> Millhouse Road. <br /> If there is a silver lining it is this: It is abundantly clear from the County memo that it is <br /> possible to revisit sites that have been previously excluded and do so quickly and cheaply. It's <br /> equally clear that some key criteria have changed. Let's identify what those changes are and <br /> turn the crank on the site selection process and work together to find a solution that is socially, <br /> economically, and environmentally responsible." <br /> Neal Kirschner lives on Millhouse Road and said that he is here on behalf of the Rogers <br /> Road site. He shared some history on the Paydarfar site. He said that the Chan's purchased <br /> the property in 1981 and built a house, which burnt down three days later. The property was <br />