[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6147175,"mediaKeyId","5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a","parentId",5521962,"title","Murfreesboro council rejects proposed settlement with Republic Services, reaffirms opposition to Middle Point Landfill expansion","audioSeconds",4298,"startMs",856000,"endMs",5154000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a&start=856&end=5154","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a/thumbnail_856000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147175/Tennessee/Murfreesboro-council-rejects-proposed-settlement-with-Republic-Services-reaffirms-opposition-to-Middle-Point-Landfill-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147175-4deee7886bbf70f62af6a9983dc0081f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567368&Signature=KkB2TfP~VpOxRsjXWFUKz5iqrtmUa0Lk8dPdwkkH6Ub8vDzTVj~uDtlAhkT6wM~ejb0YmWQ-2amUWzfcfJaJdaimqgOiN9RA0vrQk3GtF9SKv2T7KLGvxq~1WSKYJixn4b1eDxTQ1L22cg~JQIQ7wU-~GAQqqg1e767i2sc0PMbd3ofEGBgss~We12PVn2E~pTFG-JciDI7dPEyzB-yBW6kKpTLPdiMBc1k1wj~D-Z2opu7yEbc4AnA-5VcXvDAqHNwJsvIkGOqMpVTrdAnWecSKuaxzWV0WA9nPFKhAiCnwBWi3lWv1n2saFsiWgNo5d1anVvTzL295ktkx8VvWbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Murfreesboro, TN","date","2025-08-01T09:29:39.183Z","article","The Murfreesboro City Council on July 31 rejected a proposed settlement with BFI Waste Systems of Tennessee LLC and Republic Services that would have resolved a federal lawsuit accusing the companies of water and air pollution at Middle Point Landfill, and separately adopted a resolution reaffirming the city’s opposition to any expansion of the landfill.

City Attorney Adam Tucker summarized the settlement proposal to council members before public comment, saying it was the product of multi‑year litigation and mediation and included monitoring, treatment studies and a gas and odor management plan. Tucker said the agreement would require monthly sampling of leachate for PFAS, semiannual groundwater and spring testing, construction of a granular activated carbon system at a primary stormwater outfall, and potential pretreatment construction if state or federal regulation requires it. He said the agreement also provided the city reimbursement for certain costs and penalties for failures to comply with key terms.

The settlement would have required BFI and Republic to reimburse the city $500,000 for past sampling and odor‑plan development, provide $40,000 for two years of city sampling of surface and drinking water, and reimburse up to $50,000 per year for two years for expert oversight. It also included a gas‑collection and control system management plan, a shared odor complaint portal and daily penalties for certain failures, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars, and gave the U.S. District Court continuing jurisdiction over enforcement. Under the agreement, the city retained the right to sue for the cost of a new drinking‑water treatment system if EPA’s 2024 PFAS drinking‑water standards are violated.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing urged the council to reject the deal or demand stronger commitments. James Farley, who said he worked with a chemist reviewing PFAS data, told the council the landfill’s leachate PFAS readings were far higher than typical values cited in national studies and said, “We need more from the Republic than their agreement to study options.” Several other speakers pressed for longer‑term sampling, binding cleanup triggers, third‑party oversight and broader funding for monitoring and remediation.

Pat Bacon said the effects of contamination “won’t be seen for years and years and years” and called the settlement inadequate. Laura McGowan asked why BFI would “study pretreatment options for up to a year” rather than install known technologies now, and flagged limits in the settlement on how long the city’s sampling would be funded. Multiple commenters noted that some remediation commitments in the draft would be triggered only “if” EPA or the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) adopted specific regulation.

Council discussion before the vote returned repeatedly to trust and enforceability. Mayor Mary McFarland and several council members said the city’s legal team had obtained detailed technical commitments but that a number of council members remained unconvinced Republic would carry them out or that the measures were sufficiently durable or public‑facing. A motion to deny the settlement passed on a roll call vote; the clerk recorded unanimous support for the motion to reject the settlement.

Separately, earlier in the meeting the council unanimously adopted Resolution 25 R 25 opposing expansion of Middle Point Landfill and expressing support for the so‑called Jackson Law, a Tennessee statute that allows local governments that have opted into it to approve or reject landfill siting or expansions within one mile of city limits. The resolution states the council’s position that expansion would be detrimental to the environment, public health and the local economy.

The council recorded that the settlement’s provisions do not limit the city’s ability to oppose future expansion proposals, including proposed resumption of filling over certain areas or a major expansion onto adjacent closed landfill property in Rutherford County. But speakers and several council members said they want clearer, longer funding and direct public oversight mechanisms before supporting any negotiated agreement.

The council did not adopt specific additional terms requested by some speakers — such as an explicit company apology, a binding promise to abandon all expansion plans, or an open‑ended long‑term sampling fund — and several council members said those items were not agreed to during mediation.

The immediate outcome leaves the federal lawsuit unresolved; the city may continue litigation or pursue further negotiations. Council members said they will continue to monitor regulatory and enforcement actions by EPA and TDEC and seek ways to strengthen local oversight and funding for testing and remediation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - July 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Murfreesboro City Council on July 31 rejected a proposed settlement with BFI Waste Systems of Tennessee LLC and Republic Services over alleged air and water pollution at Middle Point Landfill and separately adopted a resolution opposing any expansion of the landfill.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Murfreesboro City, Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",69344,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147157,"Council agrees to partner with American Battlefield Trust on 37‑acre acquisition, pledges $1.37 million from park impact fees",107,5278000,5385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a&start=5278&end=5385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a/thumbnail_5278000.jpg","/articles/6147157/Tennessee/Council-agrees-to-partner-with-American-Battlefield-Trust-on-37acre-acquisition-pledges-137-million-from-park-impact-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147157-f19fe27d4075552d1a5af807f2f03222/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567368&Signature=CLxvKRowSFvB4KkVemfOSns5x2R2hlbCk4AJGXspJrTmYHYRpnA8djKdBJBRDCAaEq4I6TkqowJXVs3cMCGD1EtMt3s1r~jrdygnSt6wV11emk0uS3c1SZg~e6IJKr42wpwXkpJcMP3-mkyZ2B983bRmzbujlSrLU-F4UHYbCCOg9ggHBnXDWY94DYlVz~Z-bhnTpY5ahGjXMsu0b71UPoj3hBdNc~h4zGhQeEHVB-yIelBOSgWDpz5l~n9TFoIgcfGgNGSKFe5oT50SYJpiX8zqSKSoSrZN476~oUakATjUAT-ATlBlFJkpx~6fWDAUdoz9e4O81ItBKnQUgJPxrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Murfreesboro City Council on July 31 voted to partner with the American Battlefield Trust (ABT) on the acquisition of a 37‑acre tract at 3507 Asbury Lane and approved a city contribution of $1,370,000 from designated park impact fees.

Parks staff said ABT has a contract to purchase the property at the appraised amount of $9,400,000 and requested municipal participation, which federal grants often require. If the purchase closes and state regulatory actions on the property are completed, the tract will be deeded to the city under a conservation easement for future passive park development.

City staff said the ABT partnership has previously added more than 70 acres to the park system at no cost to the city and that the proposed contribution would come from already‑designated park impact fee funds. The council approved the contribution by roll call vote.

Staff said the city’s accounting team reviewed the arrangement and determined it is compatible with fund restrictions and grant requirements. The property is intended for conservation and passive recreation and will be deeded to the city upon regulatory completion of the transaction.","The council approved municipal participation in a federally funded purchase by the American Battlefield Trust for a 37‑acre tract at 3507 Asbury Lane, including a city contribution of $1,370,000 from parks impact fees to be deeded to the city upon completion of required state actions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147162,"Council approves increases to water tap and meter fees, cites rising materials costs",102,742000,844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a&start=742&end=844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6147162/Tennessee/Council-approves-increases-to-water-tap-and-meter-fees-cites-rising-materials-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147162-97e47d5e1141069a3847585cff849795/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567368&Signature=CsgBBdl-r~i-DFqpQmRIKrpNe58g0NN8faJyeuTXt~BMhsx651XumrTjs9mg7F85KknWdcbn~azYTAXyKz~mIAj3zDxq-Klxsk6Y0x~EGtHOiarUvlbZ6xRdvqzdpR85Nxoz2SvFBgoi4BBOon9tYzPT4LNcYCObqfyxXyxepEWs0zQvTEJbVTak36SDAljaBBPZJ54ZF~9BKnmdooHyyi3~1v4ll5mLuSUX9vuN4lUJ5Sc-TWF6zRamZbhTO0zb~Iwu4Fcn13u0GwKEv8KVitHnWVazd21WrY4AjcpIRj-Q7aGzFvMXLYMu88lKBUhErZNd3hOtBcX2T~jLTWPygQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Murfreesboro City Council on July 31 approved ordinance changes raising certain water tap, meter and sewer clean‑out installation fees, citing a significant increase in materials costs since the fees were last adjusted.

A staff presenter identified as Mallory told the council the proposed adjustments reflect higher costs for labor, materials and equipment and that the city has not changed these fees since 2021. “The significant increase in materials is the reason for this proposed increase to our costs,” Mallory said, noting the revisions are intended to cover labor and materials and remain at or below comparable neighboring utilities.

Council members asked for clarification about the drivers of the increases. Mallory confirmed materials were the primary factor and that the ordinance changes were intended to recover cost, not generate profit. After a motion and second, the council approved the ordinance on second and final reading by roll call vote.

The ordinance updates are administrative in scope; staff said they would provide an itemized explanation of each fee change on request.","Murfreesboro approved revisions to water tap, meter and sewer clean‑out installation fees, a change staff said is primarily driven by higher material costs since fees were last updated in 2021.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147166,"Council approves $12.7 million deposit for Thompson Lane widening utility relocations with TDOT",257,5702000,5959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a&start=5702&end=5959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a/thumbnail_5702000.jpg","/articles/6147166/Tennessee/Council-approves-127-million-deposit-for-Thompson-Lane-widening-utility-relocations-with-TDOT","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147166-d931d18d095f745b84044fd97247f3c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567368&Signature=Wiasz~gSi11A9bFeCWMVMpUBGIUcJqLDGuttZjcWlsEU77Ep2XVJ9-4TJL--0erTK-uA8cPezUHNlykyB~N506kqQ1q1xLIF1y3VLkyrmad~tDEHgAEEjztHiIfdwci~~h9GbUMM73QEeRtoHC0lo8gAN3LHIhrcgAD3lLDol660pi-QaXcLslUqybXbJQSsk1GzSAamvQ3IBrptA9tT8NLEuM13u7mZ79CdGtT1LpSsplVA4zQHFukTgbB0bDYqQF6VJ2MJ6TmOAjSm0o9x0c5K8gwxsST1FcCFcYyvFnRE-ASD28ekAvSeAafYiD~ZIz1y0es4ZKZX0lWY3tkmYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Murfreesboro City Council on July 31 approved contracts and an estimated deposit to cover the city’s portion of water and sewer relocations for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Thompson Lane widening project.

City staff said the total estimated construction cost for the department’s water and sewer relocations associated with the four‑mile TDOT project is about $16.2 million. TDOT’s chapter 86 reimbursement for utility relocations for the project is approximately $3.5 million (split across water and sewer), leaving an estimated city deposit of about $12,740,000 to be placed in an interest‑bearing account while TDOT manages the construction.

Public works staff asked the council to authorize signing the TDOT contract and depositing the city’s estimated share. Council members also discussed pursuing additional reimbursement from TDOT because this project covers a longer length than is typical for a single TDOT contract. Staff said the city will seek any additional TDOT funds back into the deposited account if they become available.

The council voted to approve entering the contracts and making the deposit. Council members indicated they expect additional easement negotiations and potential change orders related to right‑of‑way and temporary construction easements; staff said those costs are separate from the construction deposit and will be presented as they arise.","The council authorized deposits to cover the city's estimated share of water and sewer relocations for the TDOT Thompson Lane widening project. The total construction estimate is about $16.2 million; TDOT will reimburse roughly $3.5 million and the city approved depositing approximately $12.74 million into an interest‑bearing account.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6147170,"Resident urges council to delay expansion of LPR cameras; police chief agrees to neighborhood meetings",603,387000,990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a&start=387&end=990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521962-908fb1834d7cf89bc311f2d33b7a089a/thumbnail_387000.jpg","/articles/6147170/Tennessee/Resident-urges-council-to-delay-expansion-of-LPR-cameras-police-chief-agrees-to-neighborhood-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147170-c36a4c0d22bd72a7b5b438f719d477a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567368&Signature=Ozk9aoJlWsR581WDQ2l8aogeqFrYJCOH32aY0kGnyqeHoXyTA4kVlzQWLc4uqlCnWzUadWyuoBeL0Jn0~vcNaMMgyyEJ4OjKBZIJ3DVKjbkgYvSllPyAnv63oNn1-pfU1eXO41BkvJW-auXAYOzDseMH33tOBXlntjF6oJIYXRhfPmgOaUinDpadYg~n-nU49fg3Y4mrrj7FVygwCA8OTZ5K6j6cwGOv1UrHG8ePvfscL5u6wAJ9oBs4fYDcDkOLSJfxZx4VGxO4wXHapYGLz1yxPADwgnx-lkbcwAOLF-yrnXxhBENnwsuJuERFH4L6GHenmAKSMYf2xcqbTXGRdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Murfreesboro resident asked the City Council on July 31 to delay or reject a proposed expansion of license‑plate reader (LPR) cameras by the Murfreesboro Police Department, saying the technology risks privacy and can be misused. The city’s police chief told the council he would hold additional neighborhood meetings and reiterated the department’s stated limits on how the system is used.

Alex Sager, who identified herself as a resident at 463 Evergreen Street, told the council she opposed adding 15 Falcon cameras and expanding access to the department’s real‑time crime center. “I don't believe more surveillance equals more safety. If anything, it instills more fear,” Sager said, citing concerns about data storage, access and reported uses of the vendor’s system in other jurisdictions.

Chief Bowen responded that the department provides information online about the real‑time crime center and has held prior neighborhood meetings. He said the department does not conduct continuous live surveillance and only accesses footage when there is a particular investigative need. “It’s not a surveillance system. We don't sit there and watch people. It's a system that we access when we have a particular need to go and retrieve that information,” Chief Bowen said.

Mayor Mary McFarland and other council members asked the police department to hold another neighborhood meeting and noted a town hall scheduled for Aug. 4 to address the topic. Council members said they wanted residents to hear staff presentations before public testimony on the related agenda item.

No formal vote on the LPR expansion was recorded during the public comments portion of the meeting. The council directed staff and police to schedule community meetings and to provide additional written responses to privacy and data‑access questions raised by residents.","A resident asked the Murfreesboro City Council to vote against or table an agenda item to expand Flock LPR cameras, citing privacy and misuse concerns; Chief Bowen said the department will hold additional neighborhood meetings and highlighted restrictions on access to camera data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Murfreesboro council rejects proposed settlement with Republic Services, reaffirms opposition to Middle Point Landfill expansion

Council agrees to partner with American Battlefield Trust on 37‑acre acquisition, pledges $1.37 million from park impact fees

Council approves increases to water tap and meter fees, cites rising materials costs

Council approves $12.7 million deposit for Thompson Lane widening utility relocations with TDOT

Resident urges council to delay expansion of LPR cameras; police chief agrees to neighborhood meetings