I am writing in response to Mr. Gaskill’s letter to editor entitled “Project is Green, Good for Winchester” published on Sunday, March 8. The letter is very long on how the project is “Green” and also on how it is good for Mr. Gaskill’s company Triple T Trucking, but contains nothing that makes me believe the project is good for Winchester. If the solid waste transfer station and compost facility is as benign and green as it is portrayed, why are they not doing it already in Brattleboro which is arguably one of the most environmentally conscious towns in the region?
The answer is simple – the solid waste industry is exactly as green as they are forced to be and no more. Many people do not realize that waste is a commodity that is traded on a daily basis in the same way as soybeans, coffee or orange juice. The haulers and processors are simply speculators, no different than the ones who gave us high gas prices last summer or the ones who caused the current banking crisis. At the end of the day, the bottom line is still the bottom line. Any regulatory controls that a facility is forced to meet come from the bottom line, reducing profit margins. If New Hampshire had the regulatory climate of Massachusetts (and in many ways, I am glad it does not), I daresay we would not be facing this issue because there would be no profit incentive to come here.
So, why Winchester? The argument that “we are a poor community and should be ready to embrace this “opportunity” because after all, what else are we going to do?” is so condescending it makes me ill. Hearing this argument from our elected officials shows a staggering degree of shortsightedness. I work for a large civil engineering firm in Massachusetts. In my career I have spent a good deal of time in and around landfills, transfer stations, composting and recycling facilities. Some are better kept than others, but I have yet to see one I would WANT near my home or in my community. In short, Winchester can and should find some other vehicle for economic development and does not need to prostitute herself out to the waste industry.
I urge you to vote “NO” on Tuesday on questions 35 and 40. Let someone else be part of THIS solution.
1 comment:
Did anyone see the front cover of the Brattleboro Reformer on Saturday? http://www.reformer.com/ci_11859390
"…Waste will be mixed with sand, which will be mined on site…", there is what happens to the remaining property of his 250 acres. We are getting not only a trash facility but a gravel pit as well. How long will it be before he begins selling sand and gravel materials as well to augment his trash business?
Our prestine forest is going to be destroyed! Does anyone realize that there are several wetlands on this property? And that two creeks go right through it to the Ashuelot River?
People need to realize that we are getting a "snow job" from Triple T. Our town needs to listen to some engineers and experts that are NOT in the pockets of the Waste Managers. Everyone right now is listening to one side of this issue!
They will be making money both ways - trash coming in and out. The town will not be making large profits off of this project (show me a dump that has a high property value) and the majority of the land will remain in "current use". According to the article he plans to use only 25 acres for the facility.
Also, keep in mind that this land was purchased knowing fully well that our town has strict zoning laws against such an operation.
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Kim Gordon 239-7263
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