Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 28, 1990 TAG: 9003280456
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: SHARON HODGE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: MART LENGTH: Medium
City Council and the Board of Supervisors both unanimously endorsed a search for contractors after consultant Leonard Joyce described as critical the future for the two existing solid-waste sites.
Joyce, president of Joyce Engineering of Princeton, W.Va., was hired for $34,000 in October to conduct a solid waste disposal study.
He said the Martinsville landfill on Clearview Drive will have to cease operations June 30, 1992, because of new landfill regulations. By December, city officials must provide the state Department of Waste Management with a plan for closing the facility. Martinsville also must continue water monitoring and site maintainance for 10 years after the landfill closes, Joyce said.
The surface of the city's landfill is relatively flat and does not allow for required drainage of surface water, Joyce said.
The study also showed that the county landfill on Kings Mountain Road does not have adequate personnel. As a result, Henry County has a lack of control over monitoring waste, he said.
Erosion and sediment control features also need improvement, he said.
Joyce advised city and county officials that they must allow time for construction of a new landfill. He said that it could take from nine to 12 months to secure permits from the state Department of Waste Management.
County Administrator C. Lee Lintecum and City Manager George Brown urged their two governments to take immediate action.
The study recommendations included upgrading the existing landfills.
At the Martinsville landfill that would mean improved erosion and sediment control as well as general clean-up and maintenance. At the Henry County landfill, improvements would consist of employing at least two additional people at the site full time.
Joyce also suggested that Martinsville immediately install ground-water monitoring wells.
Both the city and the county should immediately begin preparation of closing plans, the consultant advised. Because it is likely that the Henry County landfill already has exceeded its limitations, an interim plan needs to be prepared for the Department of Waste Management, he said.
Preliminary investigations will be performed at potential sites for a new landfill to assess soil depths, characteristics and ground-water evaluation. Based on the results of those evaluations, application for a joint disposal facility should be prepared, Joyce told city and county leaders.
City Council and the Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to issue a "request for qualification." The request will identify qualified vendors for post-collection and separation of county and city waste. Councilman Allan McClain requested detailed cost figures for the recommended joint landfill, which are to be received before the request is issued.
by CNB