Resident urges continued oversight as commission extends sludge landfill enforcement order
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Summary
A resident told the Gardner City commission that a Mass DEP inspection found noncompliance at the local sludge landfill; commissioners cited unclear inspection reports and voted to continue the enforcement order to Jan. 26, 2026, while asking staff for clearer, timelier documentation.
Alan Russo, who identified himself as living at 211 West Road, urged the commission to keep an enforcement order for the Gardner sludge landfill open and to continue monitoring the site. He said the Mass DEP March 10 wastewater facility inspection form cited the landfill as “not in compliance,” referenced an outdated O&M plan and noted that outfalls had not been inspected.
Commission members expressed confusion over the inspection reports, saying several entries were marked both “pass” and “fail” with little or no explanatory comment for wetlands and road conditions. One member noted repeated entries that flip from fail to pass without a description of what corrective action was taken. Members asked staff to request clearer, more timely failure notices and explanatory comments from inspectors so the commission can track corrective steps.
After discussion, the commission voted to continue the enforcement matter regarding the sludge landfill to Jan. 26, 2026, to allow staff time to obtain clarified inspection documentation and updated O&M materials. The vote was taken by voice; the motion passed.
The transcript references a “Mass DEP March 10 wastewater facility inspection form” and the commission discussed whether the site’s O&M manual had been updated and reviewed for compliance. The meeting record shows no further action taken at this session beyond the continuance and a staff follow-up request for clearer inspection notes.
