Solid waste panel gets new chair

Loudon County Solid Waste Disposal Commission voted in new leadership Thursday.

Commissioner Adam Waller, who also serves as a Loudon County commissioner, was named chairman following a 5-1 vote. Former Chairwoman Pat Hunter cast the lone “no” vote. Dave Hall was voted 5-0 as vice chairman, with Hunter abstaining.

Hall nominated Waller for the chairmanship.

“I’ve been with commission a short period of time, three month now, four months I guess, and in that time I’ve worked a lot with Pat, and she has a wealth of experience with the prior commission and the long-standing issues, and there are many and they’re valid,” Hall said. “But I’ve, as I’ve expressed to Pat, I’m very concerned with the speed with which we’re dealing with issues. Not the quality of it, but the speed that we’re handling it, setting the priorities, determining the path forward and bringing those issues to closure.”

Hall said a change was needed so the waste commission could solve problems and move on.

After the meeting, Hunter said replacing someone with her historical knowledge will prove difficult.

“Also, I have a concern that when this solid waste commission is so heavily laced with county commissioners that it becomes political, and I think that’s where we are now,” Hunter said. “I think it’s going to be a tough job, and I don’t envy his position. But, as you heard me tonight, I know my stuff and I’ll continue to ask questions and I will serve the public. I’m not a politician.”

Waller said he is ready to get the commission on track and moving faster. He said the panel is working with an attorney and technical adviser from Colorado about ongoing contract issues.

“My biggest thing from the very beginning being on county commission is to make sure the county has the least exposure in terms of liability at the landfill,” Waller said. “Originally, we were told that Republic was going to cover post-closure costs and that’s not the case. We’re trying to navigate through that and, like again, making sure that we have the least exposure possible for the county whether that be making sure cells are closed when they’re supposed to be or sooner than they’re supposed to be, even making sure that they are addressing their notice of violations because we could be liable for that as well since we are the permit holder and the landfill owner.”

During the public comment period, resident Michelle Harris Fritz addressed Hunter about a public records request Fritz made March 30 to inspect text and email messages between two commissioners during the March 6 meeting.

Fritz said she received a public records request form from Hunter, who said it was not practical for the records requested to be available for inspection or copying because the office is still in the process of retrieving, reviewing and/or redacting the requested records. Fritz said Hunter said the request couldn’t be filled until April 24.

“The Loudon County policy states that the request will be determined and available within seven days of submission,” Fritz said. “If I am going to be allowed inspection of these records, I would like to request that you tell me at this time so that I may entertain my other options.”

Fritz said Friday she had requested the messages of Waller and former Solid Waste Commissioner Chase Randolph, who has resigned. She said she thought they were communicating during the meeting and anything that takes place during a public meeting is public record.

Fritz also requested communications by commissioners to other county commissioners, committee members and the county mayor if related to the LCSWDC.

During the meeting, Hunter told Fritz her concerns are not being ignored. Hunter said Waller insisted Fritz fill out a form. Hunter said she missed the deadline for getting Fritz the information by three days because of the insistence of the form.

Waller said Fritz tried to request the messages anonymously through Hunter and that Waller was first informed of the request April 6. Waller said commissioners questioned who was making the request and didn’t know until April 20.

“Now that I know, I’m happy to produce anything if there is anything,” Waller said.

Fritz said Monday she had received a response from Waller.