Committee tables plan for regional permanent household hazardous waste facility; Water Street site discussed

The Budget and Finance Committee on July 11 discussed a proposed $250,000 grant to fund a permanent household hazardous waste (HHW) facility serving Lawrence and Methuen, but the committee tabled the item to allow more time to review site details and community impacts.

Nelson Silva, the city's recycling coordinator, described a plan developed originally under a prior administration. The proposed facility would allow residents and small businesses from Lawrence and Methuen to deposit household hazardous waste — paints, fluorescent bulbs, fire extinguishers, tires and similar materials — at a secured, fenced and monitored location. Silva said the facility would be locked and monitored with surveillance and that material would be collected periodically by a vendor for safe disposal.

Silva said a potential location under consideration was a city-owned lot off Water Street, near the river and existing municipal operations. Councilors raised concerns about siting near residential streets, proximity to water infrastructure and existing uses on Water Street, and asked for more details on hours, staffing, traffic and environmental safeguards. Silva said the site was not final and that the project has a two-year window (with possible one-year extension) to complete under the grant timeline.

Councilors also discussed regional implications. Silva said Methuen's mayor is supportive and that partnering with Methuen increased the grant award from $50,000 to $250,000. After discussion, a motion to table the item passed; committee members asked staff to provide additional site analysis and public-notice plans before returning the item to committee.

The measure was tabled, not defeated; staff said they will continue intermunicipal planning and bring updated site information to the committee.