Wicomico County adopts emergency ordinance restricting out-of-county solid waste, adds penalties and operational rules

The Wicomico County Council on Aug. 5 enacted Legislative Bill 20-25-11 as an emergency act to codify the operating days, hours and locations of the county sanitary landfill, convenience centers and recycling centers; to require compliance by commercial haulers; to prohibit unlawful disposal of solid waste originating outside the county; and to establish penalties and an administrative appeal process.

Mr. Benson read the bill’s emergency title and scope, and the council opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke during that hearing. Council members then debated several substantive amendments over the course of a prolonged discussion that included staff from Public Works and the county law department.

Adam Corry, identified in the meeting as Acting Landfill Superintendent, Mike Swaby, Deputy Director of Public Works, and Andrew Illuminati of the law department responded to council questions and explained proposed enforcement mechanics.…