Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 17, 1991 TAG: 9104170237
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The supervisors have eyed the possibility of participating in the landfill with Roanoke County and other Roanoke Valley governments, but they also are worried about the effect of the landfill on Montgomery citizens.
Residents in the Montgomery County portion of the Bradshaw Valley have raised an outcry against the landfill and a proposed Norfolk Southern train that will haul trash to it. They claim the landfill and train will add to flooding and pollution problems in the valley.
Roanoke County's staff and Norfolk Southern officials discussed with Montgomery supervisors in a closed meeting Monday night what protections would be provided the county's citizens in the event of problems from the landfill and train.
Following the meeting, the supervisors decided - at the suggestion of Supervisor Joe Stewart - to tour the site on Saturday morning, April 27. Roanoke County Assistant Administrator John Hubbard will conduct the tour.
The Montgomery supervisors have made no secret of their interest in possibly making use of the Bradshaw landfill to bury the county's trash, but there was little discussion of that possibility Monday, according to Supervisor Ann Hess.
Supervisor Ira Long of Blacksburg said the board was concerned about how the landfill would affect Bradshaw residents, but he said it appears Roanoke County and the railroad are "trying to do the right thing."
Todd Solberg, a supervisor from Blacksburg, said his main reason for wanting to tour the site is to respond to citizens' concerns.
However, he acknowledged the county is considering using the Roanoke landfill to bury Montgomery garbage. "You've got to say it's an alternative," Long added.
County Administrator Betty Thomas said Montgomery County is looking at all possible alternatives for trash disposal and the Roanoke landfill is one of those.
Montgomery's landfill is running out of space.
by CNB