There is heated debate over what to do with an old landfill site in Rocky Hill, which is no longer in use but was never properly closed.
Thursday night people packed a public hearing to learn more about a plan to properly close the landfill, which is near homes, a park and the Connecticut River.
“We ask the Town of Rocky Hill to protect us, protect the river, protect the water,” said resident Ed Chiucarello.
As part of the idea to cap off the landfill, hundreds of thousands of tons of soil is needed. The plan being considered involves hauling potentially contaminated soil from sites elsewhere. Many in the crowd were concerned about that potential contamination, and some rallied outside Town Hall in protest.
“There’s nothing going in there that isn’t going to be tested or just thrown in there,” explained Lee-Ann Greco, who owns the land.
Lee-Ann and Rob Greco bought the land in 2006. Their plans for it were dashed when it was discovered the former landfill had not been properly covered and was leaking dirty water.
“This desperately needs to be fixed,” Greco said.
Local
Now they’re working with DEEP on a plan to do that.
But many in the crowd tonight worry the solution is worse than the current situation.
“There’s got to be another way to do this than bring in polluted soil,” Chiucarello argued.
The owners would be paid to take the potentially contaminated soil, which will help offset the cost of the project and it has to meet certain standards.
The idea still needs state and local approval.
