Published: June 28, 2009 08:31 am      

GUEST COLUMN: The ash flies

With a capacity crowd packed into the courthouse last Monday night, the monthly Commission meeting was the most interesting in a long time. As I am sure most of you have heard by now, the Smith Mountain Solutions, LLC (SMS) proposal to locate a “fly ash” (coal combustion products) landfill in Cumberland County was the 17th item on the agenda. When we finally got to the item, a significant amount of discussion occurred about most aspects of the proposal. Road improvement projects involved, legal status of the “host” agreement between Cumberland County and SMS, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) permitting process, and monitoring of the project were a few of the items discussed. After the lengthy discussion, the question was called and the project was approved with 11 ”yes” votes, 5 “no” votes, 1 abstention (possible conflict of interest issue) and 1 absent commissioner.  I voted “no” based on the will of you, my constituents. I heard from 468 of you by phone, in person, or by e-mail, and the sentiment was an overwhelming 2 to 1 against the project. I felt comfortable that I had a significant enough sample to conclude that the population of the 9th District was against the project. Since I am on the Commission to represent you, not my personal opinions or judgments, the vote was easy. 

This vote by the county, accepting the project, was just the first step in a long process. The trucks will not start rolling next week. TDEC now will proceed with the permitting process which will evaluate the SMS proposed project for technical feasibility and compliance with the appropriate state rules and regulations for the handling of the ash as well as the construction and operation of the landfill. Now that the USEPA is involved in the TVA ash spill cleanup and future remedial actions, they will have to approve the handling, loading, and transportation methods of the ash for conformity to the federal laws and regulations. Finally, SMS will have to secure a contract with TVA to dispose of the ash. Of course, the omni- present potential for lawsuits could also impact the process. All of this could take 9 to 24 months, depending on the roadblocks encountered.

The balance of the meeting was more routine. Two resolutions allowing the County Administration to apply for grants were approved. Four year-end housekeeping budget amendments were approved as recommended by the budget committee. A resolution to adopt a continuing budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 was also unanimous approved. This authorizes various county departments and the school system to continue to spend at last year’s budgeted rate until the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget is approved by the full commission. The Budget Committee is still hopeful they will have a complete, balanced budget and tax rate to recommend for approval at the July full Commission meeting.

Resolutions reappointing two members (Julie Shanks and Joe Reynolds) of the County Library Board of Trustees to new terms along with one recommending that Sandra Purcell be appointed to the Caney Fork Regional Library Board of Trustees for a second three-year term were unanimously approved.

We heard a report from the local Chapter of the Red Cross describing their 56 responses to local disasters (mostly fires) in the last year, as well as their blood drive and armed forces assistance program activities in Cumberland County. After appointing or renewing several notary publics, the meeting finally adjourned.        

As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions, suggestions, concerns, issues or comments at 484-4137, or e-mail at cocomlynch@comcast.net.