Franklin will not be home to Connecticut's newest landfill. The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority decided Thursday to trash its plans to build the new ash landfill in the town.
State politicians and concerned citizens held a protest in Hartford Wednesday to ask the CRRA to look for an alternative site to dispose of ash.
Franklin residents have been fighting for more than a year to block the project, siting hazards to health, traffic problems and environmental concerns.
Susan Allen, who heads the activist group Last Green Valley, was thrilled with the decision.
"I'm over the moon. This property, part of the Last Green Valley, will be protected," Allen said. "It dodged a bullet."
A three-year study by the CRAA determined that the Franklin site met rigorous criteria for an ash landfill. The agency argues finding an alternative will cost other towns up to 14 percent more to haul away trash.
The said they have agreed to listen to local leaders and look for other ways to dispose of the ash.
Local
Tony Fratianni has lived in Franklin for 30 years. He he fought against the landfill to protect his children and grandchildren.
"The result probably wouldn't have affected me that much because I'm in my 60s," Fratianni said. "The pollution probably wouldn't be recognized until 30 years down the road, and how do you recover from that? Once this water is gone, it's gone forever."
