Landfill, Hillman Power teaming up to solve compost issue

Steve Schulwitz

Hillman Power Company and the Montmorency-Oscoda-Alpena Solid Waste Management Authority are teaming up to find a solution to the problem of buildup compost at the landfill.

The policy is the landfill accepts compost three inches in diameter and narrower, but there has been a swell of people depositing tree stumps and larger logs that the facility can't dispose of.

"We have no way to get rid of it," Vice Chairman Roger Frye said. "We can't burn it and it's too large to send through a splitter."

Hillman Power is expected to inspect the sight in the near future.

The board also discussed the status of the licensing of a new cell the landfill is intending on opening later this year.

Each cell requires a separate license and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality can take up to 90 days to issue the legal document.

"We are intending to move into the new sell later this fall or early winter," Frye said. "I don't think the DEQ will take that long, but you never know. We could be cutting it close."

Discussions continued about the possibility of moving forward on a gasification facility. The facility would burn raw materials at the temperatures high enough to produce electricity.

The project, if implemented, would take 18-24 months for the construction. The board also brainstormed about funding options and potential partners.

In other business:

• the board voted to approve the purchase of road signs for the sight. Stop, speed limit and customer clarification signs were authorized to be purchased.

• the board also voted to purchase a new dumpster for its recycling area.

• the purchase of a solar powered gate with an electric backup system from P.J. Millers in Hillman for the cost of not to exceed $7,800 was approved.

• the board agreed to draft a letter to send to the pickup stations in each township reminding them that dropping off recyclable trash is free to the public. A pair of townships have posted a charge to drop off reusable materials.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.