Residents criticize DEQ process and Northrop Grumman permit at council meeting

Several residents used the citizen-comment period to criticize the Department of Environmental Quality’s handling of a Northrop Grumman permit and the city’s role in publicizing major industrial permit hearings. Janet Rawlings, who lives just outside the city, said the original DEQ public-comment period relied on a single newspaper notice that “almost no one in this community reads” and that over 200 residents had to demand a hearing before DEQ scheduled one at Waynesboro High School. She said the room was full at that hearing, many speakers were cut off due to time limits, the applicant did not send a representative, and most members of the council did not attend.

Betsy Solomon, a nurse and longtime Waynesboro resident, said she researched the company and was alarmed at potential air and water pollution near schools, parks and senior housing and questioned whether the economic benefits would flow to local residents given job clearance requirements. Speakers asked the council what steps it will take to ensure future major industrial permits are effectively publicized and for council members to be visibly present at future DEQ forums. The meeting record does not include attendance by DEQ or the applicant in the council chambers; council members were asked to report back on steps the city will take to improve outreach and presence at such hearings.