WastAway inches closer to opening new facility
As WastAway inches closer to beginning operations on Belmont Drive, a public hearing has been set for Aug. 26 for citizens to voice possible objections to the trash collection facility.
Before WastAway can apply for its business permits, the County Commission must formally approve of such a measure. The County Commission is scheduled to meet after the 5 p.m. public hearing Aug. 26.
“Technically WastAway can’t file for a permit until the County Commission gives permission,” said County Executive Carol Hamblen. “The state then will review the permit and will actually make the decision on whether it’s issued or not.”
A 15-day notice is required before the public hearing. Hamblen informed members of the Health and Welfare Committee and Economic Development Committee Thursday that notice of this hearing would be published in today’s Southern Standard.
Hamblen indicated the chosen location had already been examined by a state department and is the former Aquatech building.
“I’ve met with Barry Atnip from the Department of Environment and Conservation in Cookeville, and he has been through the proposed facility which would be in what we refer to as the Aquatech facility,” Hamblen told the committees. “He has seen their process and is very encouraged that the state will probably give this permit.”
Considering the proposed facility is within the city limits, Hamblen addressed any possible concerns about the handling of waste and how it would affect the area.
“This is kind of a contained facility there on Belmont Drive, with one of these drive in, close the door, everything is kept inside [methods]. There’s no smell,” Hamblen said. “It would not be a detriment to that community.”
Hamblen noted the company would have to work with the city which had indicated that they may have to consider some rezoning as to the type of industry, but did not foresee that as being a potential problem.
Commissioner Herb Wright then asked when the county might see a preliminary contract from WastAway for examination by the county’s attorney.
“Once they can file their permit requests, and they get their zoning, and they know they have everything in place, then they’ll come back to the County Commission, hopefully in September, they will come with the formal contract,” Hamblen said.
The purchase of the Aquatech building is contingent on completing the state permit and city zoning processes successfully, Hamblen said after conversations with Wade Sparkman of WastAway that the company seems confident and hopes work could possibly begin before the end of the year.
“Their goal is November 1 for operation,” Hamblen said.
Hamblen also noted if everything goes as planned, Warren County would be a model for environmentally friendly solid waste disposal solutions.
“We would be the only county in the state, or probably in the nation for that matter, that could claim 95 percent recycling of their solid waste,” Hamblen said.