Health district looks at landfill options
The Holmes County Health District may have the option of handing off post-closure costs of the county landfill to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Dr. D.J. McFadden, Holmes County health commissioner, said Friday, Oct. 21, that the district will almost certainly have to subsidize a fund that will cover the expenses of monitoring the landfill over the next 30 years. However, options exist that may relieve the health district of the burden.
“There are options, and the EPA is just one of those options, though it may not necessarily be in the best interest of the county,” McFadden said. “The EPA is a large agency not located in the county. There is going to be a lack of flexibility.”
McFadden brought up the issue at the board of health’s monthly meeting while reviewing the district’s expenditures. So far in 2011, the health district has spent $12,000 doing inspections at the landfill. Because it receives no outside revenue to fund the inspections, the health district covers the full amount of the cost.
The health district receives $2,500 of a $12,500 licensure fee paid by the Holmes County commissioners for the landfill. Jon Croup, director of environmental health, said the licensure fee has not been paid in four years.
“The EPA and county have been working out a payment plan,” Croup said. “The last correspondence I saw about it was six months ago.”
Even with the fee, the health district will have to “subsidize” the inspections, McFadden said.
“I’m not convinced that we’re still going to be in the black after the landfill is no longer licensed,” McFadden said. “We won’t have a source of funding and I’m hesitant to subsidize.”
The health district and county commissioners will have further discussions on the subject.
In other business:
A public hearing will be scheduled on a recommendation by McFadden to raise manufactured home fees from $230 to $280.
The board voted to approve licensure of a tattoo parlor/body art shop at 4860 E. Main St., Berlin.
The board voted to order alterations to a Township Road 219 property owner’s septic system. The system’s aerator motor was removed by the property owner, creating a potential health hazard, McFadden said. The orders declare that the property owner must establish a leach bed and eliminate the system’s current point of discharge.
The next meeting of the Holmes County District Board of Health will be held Nov. 18.
Dr. D.J. McFadden, Holmes County health commissioner, said Friday, Oct. 21, that the district will almost certainly have to subsidize a fund that will cover the expenses of monitoring the landfill over the next 30 years. However, options exist that may relieve the health district of the burden.
“There are options, and the EPA is just one of those options, though it may not necessarily be in the best interest of the county,” McFadden said. “The EPA is a large agency not located in the county. There is going to be a lack of flexibility.”
McFadden brought up the issue at the board of health’s monthly meeting while reviewing the district’s expenditures. So far in 2011, the health district has spent $12,000 doing inspections at the landfill. Because it receives no outside revenue to fund the inspections, the health district covers the full amount of the cost.
The health district receives $2,500 of a $12,500 licensure fee paid by the Holmes County commissioners for the landfill. Jon Croup, director of environmental health, said the licensure fee has not been paid in four years.
“The EPA and county have been working out a payment plan,” Croup said. “The last correspondence I saw about it was six months ago.”
Even with the fee, the health district will have to “subsidize” the inspections, McFadden said.
“I’m not convinced that we’re still going to be in the black after the landfill is no longer licensed,” McFadden said. “We won’t have a source of funding and I’m hesitant to subsidize.”
The health district and county commissioners will have further discussions on the subject.
In other business:
A public hearing will be scheduled on a recommendation by McFadden to raise manufactured home fees from $230 to $280.
The board voted to approve licensure of a tattoo parlor/body art shop at 4860 E. Main St., Berlin.
The board voted to order alterations to a Township Road 219 property owner’s septic system. The system’s aerator motor was removed by the property owner, creating a potential health hazard, McFadden said. The orders declare that the property owner must establish a leach bed and eliminate the system’s current point of discharge.
The next meeting of the Holmes County District Board of Health will be held Nov. 18.
Published: October 23, 2011
