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BRANT - It was standing room only at the Brant Town Board meeting when the proposal of a landfill was presented to the board members by developer Robert Gerhard.
"No matter who runs the facility it will have to be governed by the Department of Environmental Conservation," developer Gerhard said. "They won't do it if it can't be done safely."
Concerned residents filled the board room to listen to the proposal that would reportedly provide services on a regional scale, not just locally, as well as bring to the town new jobs and an increase in revenue. Safety issues were also addressed, with residents questioning who would run the facility and how contamination would be prevented from escaping from the site.
The location of the proposed facility would be in a block area bordered by Cain Road, Hammond Road, Route 20 and Route 249. This would give the facility access to the railroad and allow for the regional use of the site. The size of the facility has yet to be determined.
This type of facility must meet many standards. There must be correct soil conditions - permeability to slow or inhibit movement of liquids, and adequate groundwater separation.
The Brant Town Board members passed a resolution to form a committee made up of town attorney John Grennell; town engineer Glen Cooley, a member of the planning board; board member Ellen M. Bowman, and community members who were asked to sign up to be on the committee.
"The board has decided to use this committee to look into the possibility of this landfill," town Supervisor Sam Chiavetta said. "Everyone on the committee will look very closely at the proposal."
Gerhard is confident in his proposal, and said it could be a very suitable business for Brant.
"The committee will be meeting to prove our claim of the enhancement of the community, and that the facility will be safe," Gerhard said. "I am happy the town agreed to evaluate the project."
It is expected several meetings will be scheduled in the future for this plan.
The next town of Brant board meeting is Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. in the Brant town hall.