M.D. searching for landfill options

By J.W. Schnarr
Taber Times
jwschnarr@tabertimes.com

The Municipal District of Taber council has begun the process of finding a new place to stash their trash.

During their regular meeting on Jan. 13, council discussed the idea of developing a new Class II landfill which would be located within the M.D.

“I know we’ve talked about starting our own landfill in the past, and I think it’s time we got going on it,” said Division 2 Coun. Tom Machacek. He noted it could take years before a facility could be up and running.

“I think it’s overdue,” he said.

“I do, too,” said Deputy Reeve Dwight Tolton.

Division 4 Coun. Ben Elfring said it would be helpful to have a meeting with Alberta Environment to see what is needed to get the project off the ground.

Municipal Administrator Derrick Krizsan said the requirements for starting up a facility such as a land fill have already been defined by the provincial government.

“The legislation is quite clear on what’s required to build a Class II landfill,” he said.

And while there was a study conducted some years ago, Krizsan noted the legislation and technology has changed since then.

He also said the challenge with a landfill would be the inclusion of Barnwell and Vauxhall, two places which might provide between 800 – 1,000 tons of waste annually, so a municipal landfill would have to be ready to deal with 2,000 tons per year.

Following discussion, council passed a motion to investigate potential landfill sites. Coun. Bob Wallace, Coun. Duff Dunsmore, and Reeve Brian Brewin were absent from the meeting.