Hoods Mill Landfill Hangs on, at Least until December

During an open session meeting, the board of county commissioners voted unanimously to keep the Hoods Mill Landfill open, at least temporarily.

The landfill, located in Woodbine, was scheduled to close July 1 due to funding.

During the budgeting process this spring, commissioners were told it would take $250,000 in maintenance and upgrades to continue operating the facility. They were advised by public works staff that a new roof and a new front loader were needed. Additionally, Hoods Mill costs approximately $46,000 a year to operate, according to Department of Public Works deputy director Jeff Topper.

Commissioner Richard Rothschild asked the other commissioners to consider options to keep the facility open.

The commissioners decided Thursday to keep the landfill open under the following plan.

• Hoods Mill will continue service on the first and third Saturday of each month for six months, through December.

• The county will not invest in the replacement of the skid loader, roof or other significant investments at this facility.

• If a significant investment should be necessary before December or before another plan is in place, the services at the facility may be suspended prior to December.

• The cost of operating the landfill will be covered under existing solid waste, public works or reserve for contingencies funds.

• The county will prepare and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for private sector service at Hoods Mill for either weekly or bi-weekly collection of waste and transportation to the Northern Landfill.

• By December the board will review the plan and either turn operations over to a private sector operator, continue county-run services or close the facility effective January 1.