The Piedmont City Council on Tuesday, received an update concerning a plan to expand an industrial landfill the city shares with Jacksonville.
Charles Oligee, an engineer with S&ME, the leading firm on the project, presented the council with the current expansion plans and concerns.
“The landfill is basically running out of space,” Oligee told the council.
However, a lack of suitable soil on site would prohibit the expansion capable of meeting the necessary environmental guidelines in order to accept industrial waste at a reasonable cost.
Oligee then shared the firm’s plans for a new section that will only accept construction and demolition debris, thereby eliminating the need for the additional guidelines set by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
Oligee is expected to return to the council soon with a final design and cost estimate.
Piedmont is expected to cover 40-percent of the expansion cost, while Jacksonville will pay the other 60-percent.
Later in the meeting, Fire Chief Mike Ledbetter recognized former Assistant Fire Chief James “Smokey” Buttram, who recently passed away. Buttram, who served in the department for 52 years, will be laid to rest with a special burial ceremony this Thursday, March 22nd, at Piedmont Memory Gardens, following a 2pm service at Thompson Funeral Home.
In other business, the council passed an abatement resolution to clean up an over-grown lot on Gadsden Street.
Deborah Ledbetter was appointed by Mayor Bill Baker to serve another term on the Housing Authority Board.
Bills for payment were approved in the amount of $658,096.22.
The next regular Piedmont City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3rd, following the work session, which is set for 5:30pm.