SAUGUS — Ten Revere city councilors opposing the expansion of an ash landfill operated by Wheelabrator Technologies have submitted a letter to the Saugus Board of Health Wheelabrator subcommittee.
The councilors stated in the letter that Revere residents are adversely affected by the plant’s operations, and argued that an expansion would serve to prolong Wheelabrator’s presence in the area.
The councilors’ opposition was in response to a November Wheelabrator subcommittee meeting — referenced in the letter — where plant representatives alluded to the possibility of expanding the Saugus-based landfill above the 50 feet currently permitted once it reaches maximum capacity in 2024.
“In the interest of the health and safety of thousands of Revere residents who live in the neighborhoods impacted by this facility (many of whom have lived here since before the incinerator was constructed in the 1970s), we respectfully ask that, as conversations happen and recommendations of this committee form, that you not entertain allowing this company to extend the life of its landfill beyond what is currently permitted,” the letter reads.
“The implication of this allusion is the desire of the company to see the incinerator and landfill exist on the site indefinitely.”
The councilors further decried what they said was the “outdated” facility’s inability to provide protections against noise and odor pollution to the residents of Lynn, Revere, and Saugus, also noting that Wheelabrator Technologies currently operates the only unlined ash landfill in the Commonwealth.
“Because of its unbuffered location in the midst of the Rumney Marsh, (the plant’s) impacts reach beyond your municipal boundary,” the letter stated. “Oftentimes, it is our residents who live in the neighborhoods across from Rumney Marsh and Pines River who bear the brunt of the impacts of noise and noxious odors coming from Wheelabrator, usually under the cover of the darkness of night.”
The letter was signed by state Rep. Jessica Giannino, Arthur Guinasso, Patrick M. Keefe Jr., John Powers, Joanne McKenna, Steven Morabito, Ira Novoselsky, George Rotondo, Richard Serino, and Gerry Visconti.
An 11th member, Council President Anthony Zambuto, declined to sign the document, explaining that if the situation were reversed, he wouldn’t want Saugus officials to interfere with Revere business.
“The MassDEP (Massachusets Department of Environmental Protection) is in charge of environmental protection, and they regulate everything that goes on at Wheelabrator,” Zambuto said. “DEP recently said Wheelabrator is in compliance with all permits and regulations.
“As a city councilor in a neighboring community, I’m mindful of the difference between advocating for our city and interjecting in the decision-making process of other public officials in the surrounding community.”
Zambuto added that he had heard “no shortage of talk” regarding alternatives for where the excess waste would go, but said he had yet to see a concrete plan.
“There’s no plan that wouldn’t increase disposal costs severely on my residents,” he said.
Saugus Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, who also leads the town’s Wheelabrator Subcommittee, applauded Zambuto’s decision not to sign the letter, calling it “premature.”
“Wheelabrator has no plans to close the Saugus facility and anyone that has false hopes that they will pack up and leave is naive,” he said. “There is also no guarantee that the state will stop them from dumping ash at the landfill beyond the current deadline of 2024.”
In a statement provided to The Item, James Connolly, Vice President, Environmental, Health and Safety for Wheelabrator, said the plant was happy to continue its work with the board.
“We appreciate the opportunity to be working with the subcommittee formed by the Town of Saugus for the purpose of exploring ways in which the town may derive enhanced environmental, economic, and community benefits from our partnership,” Connolly said. “We will continue to operate our facility in full compliance with all environmental permits and regulations, while providing an essential service for the residents of Saugus, Revere, Lynn, and beyond.”
Cogliano said the subcommittee would try to find a solution that works for all parties, adding that “everything is on the table” if the facility wanted to expand the height of the landfill.
He told the councilors that should Wheelabrator make moves to expand the landfill past its legal height, he would request a number of compromises with the company that would include lining the landfill and lowering the plant’s levels of nitrogen oxide emissions.
He said he would also want to discuss whether the facility could provide money for a new west side fire station for the town.
“Those are the things we’ll talk about here,” Cogliano said. “The height of the landfill is not the biggest issue with Wheelabrator — not even close — and anyone who thinks that is missing the point.”
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley said she would like to see the ash pile capped and that she would want to investigate whether the company regularly goes above and beyond state guidelines to ensure the health and safety of residents.
“Maybe that’s something that could be in the host agreement,” she said. “Most important is the health of the people (who) live around there.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached [email protected].
