FILE PHOTO
Wheelabrator building in Saugus.
STAFF REPORT
SAUGUS — The community weighed in on Wheelabrator Saugus’ proposed plan to extend the life of its ash landfill.
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) conducted a site review Monday afternoon with state agencies and members of the Saugus Board of Health. Following the tour, MEPA held a meeting to hear from both Wheelabrator and the town’s residents on the possibility of an extension.
David Greenbaum, the director of the Board of Health, said Wheelabrator filed an environmental notification form with MEPA to request an extension that would allow ash to be deposited for an additional four-and-a-half to five years at the end of May.
James Connolly, vice president of environmental health and safety of Wheelabrator, said the plan would include modifying the slopes of two of the landfill’s five valleys. The other three slopes have already been changed, he said.
Connolly said the plant opened in 1975 and was continuously upgraded over time “so that today it remains a state of the art facility.”
“The proposed project is to continue to use the landfill,” he said. “And for valleys 1 and 2 to be consistent with already approved internal slopes of valleys 3, 4, 5.”
He said the plan would involve the same operation, same materials, and no lateral expansion. The slopes in the two valleys would be changed from 5 percent to 2 percent.
The MEPA review is not a permitting process and occurs before the permitting agencies act. It does not result in the approval or denial of a project. Environmental Analyst Page Czepiga said MEPA is expected to make a determination July 8, indicating whether or not the project can proceed to state permitting.
Attendees took turns voicing concerns and stating their opinions on whether or not the extension should be granted.
Debra Panetta, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, questioned how ash could continue to be deposited without expanding the valleys, and added that all five members of the board are opposed to any additional ash or pollution being added to the community.
Connolly stated that alternatives to the project could include reusing the ash, but the possibility is still being evaluated. Transportation of the ash off site is another consideration, Connolly said. The nearest location is in Shrewsbury and the plan would involve 13 tractor trailer trucks driving 56 miles each day, he said.
Rep. Roselee Vincent (D-Revere) said she is opposed to any further expansion. Andrew DeSantis, chairman of the Revere Conservation Commission and a resident of East Saugus, said he would like to see the landfill closed and alternative uses for the ash investigated more thoroughly.
Soheil Zendeh, who leads birdwatching voyages at the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, said he brings many people, including “nice little birdwatchers who wouldn’t hurt a fly” to the site. He said he wants a definitive answer on whether or not he is bringing them into a hazardous environment.
Geoff Wilson, who manages the sanctuary, said the 178 bird species that he has recorded over the years are a testament to the safety of the site.
“These are birds that are returning year after year,” Wilson said.
Wheelabrator employee Norma Giraldi said her health and breathing problems have dissipated since working at the facility.
“I hear all these opinions, and that’s fine, but I haven’t seen any proof that this should be a concern for anybody,” Giraldi said.
Greenbaum said the Board of Health will meet Wednesday to follow up on Monday’s meeting.
The Alliance for Health and the Environment, a newly formed advocacy group, will hold a public forum to discuss incinerator ash at Saugus Town Hall Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Representatives from Wheelabrator will not attend.
