City of Gardner presents draft environmental report for sludge landfill expansion; residents raise health, odor and groundwater concerns

City of Gardner officials and consultants presented the Draft Environmental Impact Report for a proposed 8.75-acre expansion of the city’s existing sludge landfill at a public information meeting, and took public comment about odors, groundwater contamination and alternatives.

Megan Gatto, project manager for Woodard & Curran, told the meeting the presentation was “about the Gardiner Sludge Landfill Expansion Project” and introduced the DEIR and public‑involvement plan (PIP) being submitted under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The DEIR is posted on the city website and, according to the presentation, is expected to be filed with MEPA at the end of the month for a formal public review period.

The project would add an 8.75‑acre western extension at the city’s existing landfill on West Street and increase disposal capacity by roughly 276,500 cubic yards, a volume city staff conservatively estimated would meet the city’s biosolids disposal needs for about 17 years (through approximately 2044). Project design elements described in the DEIR include excavation of up to 20 feet of soil, creation of a subbase built a minimum of 4 feet above seasonal high groundwater, five impermeable layers for groundwater protection, leak detection, and a leachate collection system that would return liquids to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment.

Why it matters: the city says the existing landfill, which began operations in 1990, is approaching capacity (projected to reach capacity between 2027 and 2030 based on the latest annual operations report). City staff framed the expansion as a locally controlled, permittable and cost‑effective way to maintain wastewater services…