Health Board To Pick Landfill Committee

The Board of Health will take the first step this week to determine what the town will or can do about capping its contaminated landfill on the 17.5-acre Woodfin Terrace site.

After the town rejected the board's proposal in May to spend $22 million on a new transfer station and to seal the landfill, the board decided to create a special committee of local residents to review all options for the troubled landfill.

Fourteen residents, some newcomers to Marblehead and other long-time residents who have served the town in various capacities, have expressed an interest in serving on the committee.

The board will decide Tuesday night the size and name of the committee and name the members to it. Health Director Wayne Attridge has proposed a committee of up to nine members, including himself and Becky Curran, the town planner, as ex-officio members. The committee could be smaller.

Over the next few months, the committee will consider "less costly" options for the landfill and the transfer station and develop proposals that will likely have to go to a town meeting next year.  

The landfill site, created 75 years ago, is highly regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection. "We can't put a shovel in the ground without a permit from DEP," Attridge has said.

There are no health issues posed by the site, although the site is contaminated, he said.

Residents who have applied by letter include:

Sheila Reilly, a town resident for 18 years, member of the Marblehead Conservancy, League of Women Voters and an organic gardener. She has been in sales management for a high technology company for 26 years.

Allen Waller, a professional engineer, who has 35 years of design and construction experience.

Eric Wolf, a new resident, who has a master's degree in engineering.

John Muldoon, a 30-year-resident who has more than 50 years of experience in construction and land development.

Matthew Herring, who serves on the town's Finance Committee and is a liaison to the Board of Health.

David Becker, who served for 20 years on the Board of Health and was involved in the early vetting process for selecting the engineering consultants that work on the landfill.

Jean Oliphant

Elizabeth Genovese, a certified public accountant.

Brian Hitchcock, a retired police officer, who serves on the Selectmen's Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee.

Patrick der Voorn, an attorney.

Barry Zeff

Alfred Doherty, who has served on both the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Alec Melnick

Dana Weeder, a local architect.