Council hears company's plan for recycling center, landfill

Ledger photo by TIM GULLA Seats were hard to come by at the Cherokee County Courthouse on Tuesday evening as about 300 people, opponents and proponents of Waste Management's plans to construct a recycling center and landfill in McKowns Mountain, showed up in force to hear the company's pitch to the Cherokee County Council. When Waste Management officials laid out plans for their 3Cycle Environmental Management Center to Cherokee County Council Tuesday, they spelled out what they already told various other local organizations: They plan to be a good neighbor, pump millions of dollars into the local economy and build a facility on a 1,550-acre site in McKowns Mountain that will become the standard for their industry.

But that may not be enough.

Waste Management needed to win the hearts and minds of council members to construct the controversial aspect of the project, a solid waste landfill.

But according to councilman Charles Mathis, Waste Management's presentation fell flat.

"The presentation didn't influence my decision," said Mathis, who represents the district where the facility will be located. "It's just too much for the county. Quality of life means more than the amount of dollars."

The attitudes expressed by the other council members were more favorable for Waste Management.

Councilman Quay Little said, "It was informative."

"It was a good presentation, but I need to study it more," councilman Bailey Humphries said.

Council members Tim Spencer, Rufus Foster and James Batchler all agreed with Humphries, saying they need more time to consider the proposal. Council chairman Hoke Parris had no comment on the proposal.

It's not known when council will vote on the issue but Humphries said he doubts it will be at council's next meeting. He wants clearer terms from Waste Management, perhaps in a contract, before council's decisive vote.

Whenever that vote does come, it's sure to pack council chambers just as Tuesday's presentation filled the main courtroom of the County Courthouse. About 300 people attended the special called council meeting and appeared to be evenly split between the two groups that have formed for and against Waste Management.

Clad in red sweaters, jerseys or shirts, members of C.L.O.U.T. (Cherokee Landfill Opposition United Together) filled the rows on one side of the courtroom, while the pro-Waste Management group, Cherokee Advocates for a Environment and Economy, known as C.A.S.E., gathered as one on the other side of the courtroom.

Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris gaveled the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and taking note of the frayed tensions between the groups urged the crowd to "leave being friends with each other" and be respectful of the Waste Management speakers.

For the most part, they abided by Parris' wishes. But a statement made by Waste Management project engineer Mike Lloyd that the landfill would reach 220 feet in height did bring groans from some CLOUT members.

Gaffney's own Bob Peeler, manager of community and municipal relations for Waste Management, began the presentation by quoting Henry Timken, "who once said if you have an idea and think it's right, push it to the end."

Peeler then added, "I'm proud to be associated with the great members of Waste Management and to be associated with this project."

It was left to Randall Essick, senior manager for business development for Waste Management, to make the case for the 3Cycle facility. He said the facility fits with the company's goals to double its waste-based energy production, triple the tons of recyclable materials processed, invest in cleaner technologies and preserve wildlife habitats.

He then outlined the five features of the project, including a single stream recycling center, C&D recycling facility, methane gas to energy, eco-learning center and wildlife and nature preserve.

Then answering his own question — "What's different about this facility?" — Essick said this will be the first facility that combines all five features at one site.

He turned his attention to the actual footprint of the landfill, which will be begin as a 75-acre site and grow to as much as a 351 acres in the final phase 50 years from now.

He called the 351-acre landfill site "the worst case scenario."

Waste Management also addressed the safety aspect of the facility. The landfill liner would consist of two feet of compacted clay, hard plastic, composite material and two feet of sand, Lloyd said. Other safety features include leachate disposal and methane gas management systems as well as monitoring systems for groundwater, storm water and air quality, according to Lloyd.

Essick then saved his best argument for last — the project's economic impact. According to an independent economic study, the project would create 300 construction jobs, including 42 permanent positions, $2 million in annual host fees and $488,000 more in property taxes each year, Essick said.

Maybe, even more importantly, the project would save the county nearly $800,000 annually in future solid waste collection and disposal fees.

Peeler concluded the presentation by assuring council members that if they approve the project, they will have his pledge that it "will be done the right way."

Following the presentation, council members had the opportunity to ask questions. See Friday's Ledger for what was asked and how it was answered.