HUBBARD Trustee protests exclusion from landfill meeting

The Ohio EPA wants a hearing on the proposed landfill.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Township Trustee Fred Hanley is disappointed that he was shut out of a meeting at which a proposed landfill in the township was discussed.
The Army Corps of Engineers held a pre-application meeting Monday with Maryland-based Trans Rail America to discuss environmental issues at the Mount Everett Road site.
The meeting, which included representatives of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, was held on the site.
Trans Rail owns 255 acres and is moving toward making formal application for a corps permit. If the permit is issued, it moves the company closer to opening the landfill, which would allow the dumping of construction and demolition material.
The land was once owned by Midwest Steel Corp. with railroad access.
Hanley said Wednesday that he is "disappointed" that he wasn't allowed to attend the meeting because of corps regulations.
The trustee explained that the corps doesn't allow third parties to attend such meetings if the landowner objects.
In this case, he explained, Trans Rail did object.
"We weren't invited," Hanley said.
"It's just sad there is no avenue to express the public's concern right now," Hanley asserted.
He added that the meeting was of public interest and that government meetings should be open to the public.
Up to the landowner
Corps spokeswoman Liane Freedman at the agency's Pittsburgh District confirmed that property owners can seek a closed pre-application meeting, as Trans Rail did.
"There is no desire to hide anything," responded Atty. Michael Cyphert of Cleveland, who represents Trans Rail.
The corps became involved because of wetlands on and around the property.
Cyphert said Wednesday there are about 26 acres of wetlands on the 255 acres. The largest wetland is 18 acres.
At the meeting, Cyphert said, there was discussion about the amount of wetlands that would be affected and what would be done to replace them.
For example, it may be best to add onto the 18 acres of wetlands rather than creating some elsewhere.
What won't be opened, Cyphert emphasized, is a solid waste or garbage landfill or chemical repository.
Trans Rail will make formal application for a permit in January, Cyphert said.
The Ohio EPA has asked the corps to conduct a public hearing on the issue once the formal application is made.
Hanley said he is grateful to the Ohio EPA for requesting the hearing so the public can view Trans Rail's proposal.
Before a landfill can be opened, Hanley explained, the Trumbull County Board of Health must issue an operating permit.
yovich@vindy.com