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Ordinance panel inserts permitting language, removes 'landfill' wording and affirms Rangeley is a transfer station
Summary
The ordinance committee voted to insert permitting language from a Skowhegan draft into Chapter 18, strike references to “landfill” across the chapter, and emphasize that Rangeley operates a transfer station, not a landfill. The motion to insert Section 9 and the motion to strike the term passed unanimously.
The Ordinance Committee on March 4 moved to consolidate permitting language into Chapter 18 of the town code and to eliminate references to “landfill,” saying the town’s facility functions as a transfer station. Chair (speaker 1) opened the discussion after members noted the draft under review did not match the town’s currently adopted document.
A committee member (speaker 2) proposed taking Section 9 from a Skowhegan draft and inserting it into Chapter 18.8 (authorizations) so the committee could edit permitting and authorization language in one place. The committee amended the prior motion and voted unanimously to insert Section 9 into 18.8 so that the new material would be highlighted for further review.
Committee members questioned whether the draft duplicated permitting and contract language elsewhere and discussed how the town should treat authorized haulers and contractual arrangements. Staff (speaker 4) confirmed the committee had the four documents (chapter draft, administration draft, minutes and agenda) and that the consolidated package would make it easier to review flow and conflicts.
The panel also debated whether to remove the term “landfill” from the ordinance. One committee member argued for explicitly stating that “the town of Rangeley is not a landfill; it is a transfer station,” noting that the facility does not landfill materials on site and that asbestos and certain demolition debris require specialist handling. Chair and other members agreed, and the committee voted unanimously to affirm the prior meeting’s motion to strike “landfill” and “landfilling” references throughout Chapter 18, with notations for any conflicting language.
Members emphasized regulatory constraints: staff and the committee noted that asbestos disposal requires certified abatement contractors and that state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules govern specific waste streams, so the town’s ordinance will need to align with those requirements.
The committee set a plan to revisit Chapter 18.8 once Section 9 is moved in, so members could review the authorizations and permitting language in context. The committee did not adopt final text at the meeting but approved the insertion and the terminology changes so staff can prepare the consolidated redline for the next meeting.
