The Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board adopted three resolutions on their first hearing April 7. One resolution would potentially prohibit solid waste from outside the four-county region from being dumped at Middle Point Landfill in Rutherford County. When combined with the landfill contract issue uncovered by State Rep. Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro), there are now two possible ways to limit outside solid waste from being dumped at the site.

“The Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board is a local entity created by the state and has been given various duties and authority by certain state acts,” said Terry. “The board believes that they have the authority to limit outside solid waste from being deposited at Middle Point if the outside waste negatively impacts the region’s solid waste plan. I support the attempt to restrict outside waste. Combine this resolution with the discovery of the contract situation, and I believe that there is opportunity to take action locally.”

The resolution was adopted unanimously by the board, but still must undergo a public hearing and a final vote. The resolution proclaims, “that the Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board does hereby give notice that, public welfare requiring it, as of the date of this resolution, affected persons/entities are to cease the acceptance of out-of-region waste at in-region landfills or incinerators by no later than December 31, 2022.”

“There will likely be a legal challenge to the resolution and it remains to be seen if the board has valid standing,” said Terry. “I believe that our delegation will support the resolution and I will personally talk with our legal services at the General Assembly to understand the legal approach that needs to be taken.”

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The Landfill - Continued...

In addition to the board resolution, Terry identified sections of Tennessee law last month that limited county and municipal public utility or public service contracts to 25 years. Both Rutherford County and the city of Murfreesboro signed contracts with Jefferson Pike Landfill (now Middle Point Landfill) in 1995.

“There are legal arguments that can be made that contracts held by Middle Point Landfill are public service or public utilities contracts. Additionally, it can be argued that the 25-year limit on those contracts can be applied in this situation,” said Terry. “At this point, I do believe that our local officials have some options to address the problems associated with the landfill. I will continue to leave no stone unturned for the betterment of our community.”

To see the past news story on the local landfill, "Resolution To STOP Outside Trash From Walter Hill Landfill" - Click Here.