Hillsborough shuns waste transfer station

A meeting of Hillsborough community officials Monday revealed the consensus opinion that nobody wants a waste transfer station in their backyard.

Two sites in southern Hillsborough are included in Orange County’s final consideration of 10 possible sites for a waste transfer station, which will replace the county’s current landfill located off of Eubanks Road.

 Representatives of several local neighborhoods near the proposed sites, along with Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens and town commissioners met to discuss the issue.

Officials and community members voiced concerns about the possibility of Hillsborough housing the station, citing environmental, economic and traffic problems that could arise.

“My question is, how do you take land that’s at an interchange of a major highway, Route 40, and use that,” said Jim Ciao, developer of Waterstone neighborhood. “I’m here to tell you its going to be a real slugfest if someone goes in there and tries to condemn 25 acres to build a waste system.”

Others in attendance, including Town Commissioner Eric Hallman, asked for more information about the station’s placement in Hillsborough versus other options.

“As a county taxpayer I would like to see a cost benefit analysis given all these factors versus shipping it to Durham,” Hallman said. “I’m pretty sure it is the responsibility of the county to lay that out and give us those options.”

Olver Inc., hired by Orange County to consult on the project, highlighted the two southern Hillsborough sites at a meeting of the Orange Board of County Commission. The consultants examined technical criteria like location near roads and potential environmental impact.

But Hillsborough residents disagree with the basis for their evaluation.

“There are problems with the technical sight evaluation summary,” said Gary Lee, an engineer and resident of nearby Davis Road. “‘Not in my backyard’ may not be a politically correct statement but Hillsborough has a lot to lose here.

“You don’t put a garbage dump at your front door.”

Consultants will meet again with county commissioners Oct. 21 to consider social justice issues and the impact the waste system would have on the community.

Gwen Harvey, assistant county manager, said Olver Inc. and Orange County will compare those evaluations against technical data to come up with final possibilities before choosing a site.

Locals are concerned that Hillsborough officials will not have the necessary time to construct an argument against the waste transfer system.

“I live in Cornwallis Hills and the property owners of this area were given notification half an hour before the meeting,” resident Sarah Timmel said.

Stevens said he was not made aware of Orange County’s intentions until late in the process, leaving Hillsborough at a disadvantage.

Hallman concluded the board’s discussion with some advice for moving forward.

“This hopefully won’t become one site against the other, although I’m afraid that may happen,” he said.

“The best thing we can do is keep this like tonight, give the facts and reasons and allow for a decision.”



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