One of the state’s two landfills is now likely to close as early as March. The Agency of Natural Resources has indicated that it won’t recertify the Moretown landfill’s operating license because odor issues at the facility seem to be getting worse, despite mitigation efforts.
Neighbors of the landfill have said rotten egg smells and a sewage sludge stench are so strong that some days they can’t go outside.
Earlier this month, the operators of the Moretown landfill responded to a state ultimatum with their plan to address the problems.
Advanced Disposal, the Pennsylvania-based company that runs the landfill, had asked the state to approve an expansion plan.
That proposal is now on hold, but company Spokeswoman Mary O’Brien says Advanced Disposal is still committed to a clean environment – and keeping the landfill open.
"Our goal is to ensure that [the landfill] is a long-term asset not only for us as a company but also a long-term infrastructure asset for the community and the state of Vermont," O’Brien says. "So we’re going to work very closely with the state to prove that the changes that we’re implementing do make a difference."
Those changes include putting a temporary cap over the site and managing storm-water runoff.
Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources says it plans to hold a 30-day public comment period beginning Friday.
The Agency says comments should be focused on whether the company’s proposals are sufficient to get rid of the persistent stench, and they should be sent to Ben Gauthier at Benjamin.Gauthier@state.vt.us.