The Town of Parma has a problem on its hands that residents need to start talking about. "It is certainly bad enough that something has to be done," said G. David Foster, the project manager for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, at a public meeting, February 26. Parma residents and local officials met with state representatives to discuss the status of the Trimmer Road Landfill Site. Located about a mile north of Route 104 on the east side of Trimmer Road, the 60-acre site includes a 40-acre landfill, shallow 10-acre pond and an access road situated on a 10-acre parcel. The landfill was privately owned and operated from 1952 to 1974. During that time, the disposal of municipal and industrial waste took place in shallow unlined excavations. Since then, the site has been sold twice over, but nothing else has been done with the land. The agenda for the February 26 meeting called for the NYSDEC to disclose the results of a study they conducted on the site, discuss a proposed plan for the landfill and seek public input. About 50 Parma residents turned out for a meeting that lasted two hours. The study done by the state labeled the landfill as a Class 2 site, which means that it "poses a significant threat or potential significant threat to human health or the environment." Analysis of the groundwater indicated the presence of chlorinated volatile organic compounds such as vinyl chloride, dichloroethene and chlorobenzene, and elevated levels of metals including arsenic, selenium and thallium. The most significant ground water contamination was found in the northwest portion of the site. Officials said that there was no evidence of contamination spreading to areas outside of the site. The Class 2 label, according to state officials, leads them to want to take measures to secure the site. Their plan calls for a process called evapotranspiration. This process includes laying almost two feet of soil over the site and then planting a cover of poplar trees in rows across the entire area. Evapotranspiration relies on the trees to eliminate harmful contaminants found in the soil by pulling them up through the roots and evaporating them into the air. "This is a relatively new technology," said Foster, adding that this process has been done at about 15 to 20 sites across the country. "Because this has never been done in Monroe County we are proposing to do a pilot test." That test would mean it would take four to five years to fully phase in the plan. This solution is not an instant fix, but state officials said it was the safest and most cost effective, as it wouldn't require agitating any materials that already exist in the landfill. "I think in your lifetime, or at least in your children's lifetime, it (the level of contaminants) will drop to levels that New York state would regard as safe," said Foster. Some residents said they felt the state should consider other options and do more to contain water runoff that is not contained in the ten-acre pond. Many nearby residents are tired of their yards flooding as a result. "My biggest concern is that the 10-acre pond created for the landfill isn't working as it was designed," said David DeGregorio of 823 Peck Road. DeGregorio explained to the state officials that he has a great deal of standing water in his lot and that many of the puddles have a strange oily look to them. For several residents who had specific concerns, like DeGregorio, officials promised to follow up after the meeting. NYSDEC will spend the next several months collecting public input before presenting a plan to the town. After that, the Town Board will review the official recommendations. Joe Reinschmidt, former Parma buildings and development director, knows that this problem isn't new and said he was happy to see some progress being made. "I'm glad to see that we have finally gotten to the point where there is a proposal," said Reinschmidt. "I thought tonight was a step forward and the state officials were particularly good about answering every question." However, one of the biggest remaining is - who's going to pay for all of this? The estimated price tag for the project is more than $2.5 million. That cost should be picked up by the state's Superfund, which is designated for environmental cleanup, however there has been some concern at the state level over whether or not that fund will continue. State officials and Parma Supervisor Rick Lemcke urged Parma residents to advocate for the continuation of this fund. Without this funding the chance of improving this landfill is bleak. "I hope our residents know the importance of getting in touch with officials to let them know how important this funding is to us," said Lemcke. To get involved The proposal developed by the NYSDEC is available for review at the Parma Library and the Ogden Farmers' Library. For more information and to submit written comments: For health-related concerns: |
