Landfill will see solar panels

In the aftermath of decade-old charges for noxious gases emitting from Brookhaven Landfill and into the air of surrounding residences, Brookhaven Town has agreed to pay nearly $250,000 in fines as well as install 350 solar panels on-site.

The solar panels are slated to be installed within the next 240 days
as part of the consent judgment, according to a spokesperson for
the town, and the project is estimated to cost $300,000 for materials and
installation.

In addition to the installation of solar panels, the consent judgment indicates agreement to install a new flare to control emissions, operation of the SulfaTreat system, and compliance with air permit requirements.

“The town has already completed certain requirements contained in the
consent judgment, which is further indication of its cooperation in this matter,” reads a statement provided by the town. “In all respects, the town is pleased that the consent judgment establishes a solid framework to ensure that applicable air quality requirements are met.”

Another town spokesperson said that the landfill will be closing in 2024, which is a projection based on the amount of waste being produced by the two million individuals whose waste endpoint is centralized in North Bellport.

As the charges were put forward 10 years ago and because part of the agreement was for the town to better monitor the gases emanating from the
landfill as part of the settlement with federal authorities, the town spokesperson said that capping has been conducted.

“As an area maxes out, we are continuing the capping process,” said the town spokesperson, continuing on to say that 78 percent of the facility is closed.

The spokesperson said that the town has set aside a fund for the foreseeable expensive alternative to the already-ingrained landfill in North Bellport.

An ad hoc committee consisting of local stakeholders was created by the town and includes Tom Williams, representing the Brookhaven Village Association. Williams said town supervisor Ed Romaine tasked the group of 10 with considering all options the township has for dealing with solid waste.

“If the group opposed the ashfill, that is a recommendation [town officials] would consider,” Williams said, explaining that a recommendation from the group leaning whichever way would prove to be significant regarding a decision.

He pointed out that the group has yet to weigh in on the ashfill.

“It is difficult to put your arms around this problem,” Williams said of the issue of disposing waste at the landfill. “This is a Long Island problem. It is a big deal.”

The chairman of the ad hoc group, Greg Miglino, said that the group has had one meeting thus far that was, more than anything, organizational.

“The Town of Brookhaven is doing its due diligence to establish how to
deal with solid waste,” he said, adding that no decisions or recommendations have been made thus far by the group (which means not much can be said yet publicly).

Miglino, who is also the chief of South Country Ambulance, stressed that he and Brookhaven officials are on the same page in terms of the process’ transparency.