Utica council backs Pine Tree Acres landfill expansion in Lenox Township in 3–2 vote

The Utica City Council adopted a Resolution of Approval on March 10 supporting Waste Management's proposed amendment to the Pine Tree Acres Solid Waste Management Plan in Lenox Township. The amendment would add approximately 236.5 acres to the landfill footprint, allow a recycling transfer station at the facility and extend the landfill's projected operating life by about 25 years.

Representatives from Waste Management presented the amendment and asked the council to adopt a supportive resolution. On a motion by Mayor Calandrino, seconded by Council member Weaver, the council approved the resolution by roll call: three ayes and two no votes. Council members O'Donnell and DeVriendt voted no; the three affirmative votes were recorded in favor of adopting the resolution.

Supporters said the amendment would expand regional waste capacity and add a recycling transfer function; the transcript records the request from Waste Management representatives but does not include extended debate or detailed environmental mitigation plans in the council meeting record. The amendment is for a facility in Lenox Township; the council's action is a local resolution of approval and does not itself amend county or state permitting authority.

The resolution description in the meeting record states the proposed changes but does not specify detailed environmental or traffic mitigation measures, timelines for construction, or permit conditions; those items were not provided in the council transcript. The record also notes the projected life extension as "approximately 25 years," which the city transcript uses as an estimate rather than a guaranteed term.

Next steps: the transcript records only the council's local resolution of approval. Further approvals or regulatory reviews by township, county and state agencies would be required before physical expansion or new operations could proceed.