Solid Waste Committee To Look At Options

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With the Middle Point landfill expected to reach capacity in 8 years, an advisory committee has been formed to consider options for handling solid waste in a way that will best serve Rutherford County for decades to come. The committee includes representatives from Rutherford County government as well as the cities of Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne, and Eagleville.

The Rutherford County Solid Waste/Advisory Steering Council will meet from 6-8:30 pm Dec. 12 at the Murfreesboro City Hall, 111 W. Vine St. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will be streamed on local community access television.

“Our communities are fortunate to be able to plan ahead and do this right,” said Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, a member of the advisory committee. “We are blessed with tremendous growth here, but as we grow, so do our infrastructure needs – whether it is law enforcement and fire protection, or solid waste.

“Our residents have had the advantage of not paying fees to use the landfill, but that is certain to change when Middle Point is full. We want a solution that is not only responsible and sustainable, but that is fiscally sound for the taxpayer.”

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, also a member of the committee, said: “As Middle Point moves toward its full capacity, we will come together and work with consultants to explore our options. As the process moves forward, we will listen to input from the community so we know what residents expect of us.”

Local residents have paid no tipping fees to use the landfill, which amounts to an annual savings of at least $4 million, but when Middle Point reaches capacity – expected in 8 years – that will no longer be possible. Meanwhile, 18 other counties annually pay total fees of $900,000 to use the facility.

Getting started on solutions now offers the community an opportunity to develop the most innovative, up-to-date approach to managing solid waste. As an infrastructure priority, solid waste management is critical in attracting new employers. But controlling the cost to residents also must be a priority.

After a series of open meetings, advisory committee members and consultants – which have been commissioned to study the Middle Point situation – will map out and present options for going forward.

Members of the advisory committee include:

Rutherford County
• Mayor Burgess
• Mike Kusch, County Commissioner
• Lynnisse Roehrich-Patrick, former Executive Director of TACIR
• Dr. Kathy Mathis, associate professor, MTSU
• Merry Hickerson, County Highway Department coordinator

Murfreesboro
• Mayor McFarland
• Kirt Wade, City Council Member
• Paul Latture, Chamber of Commerce
• Joe Whitefield, Vice President for Facilities, MTSU
• Jeremy Harrison, All in One Recycling

LaVergne
• Kyle Brown, Assistant City Administrator
• Garlon Russell, Public Works Manager

Smyrna
• Harry Gill, Town Manager
• H.G. Cole, City Council Member

Eagleville
• Andrew Ellard, City Manager

For more information Contact: Dave Cooley
Cooley Public Strategies
615-742-8112

Solid Waste Department website