Wake County Looks For Long-Term Solution To Trash Problem

Trash is not a pretty sight, and it is definitely something Todd Redding does not want within a mile of his home.

"Wake County ought to think about whether they want people or trash here for the long-term," he said.

The North Wake landfill is scheduled to close in late 2007. For months, the county has been studying what to do after that. There are two main options: build a new landfill on the property in Holly Springs, or ship out more than 600,000 tons of trash every year.

Preliminary county numbers show the Holly Springs option would be $3 million to $6 million cheaper a year. Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears said the town's initial analysis draws a much different conclusion. He argues the county would actually save almost $700,000 each year by shipping out the trash.

"It doesn't make sense to build a landfill in Holly Springs, business-wise," he said.

With the growth of Holly Springs, the property off the new Highway 55 bypass is prime real estate. It is worth more than $16 million. Sears believes the county has more to gain in tax base if the land is developed.

The Wake County Board chairman does not want to put a landfill in a town growing by two families a day, but he said the county and its 12 municipalities have to make a decision based on economics, not emotion.

"As a citizen, you want to know your garbage is picked up, and we are trying to bring everyone together collaboratively to find a solution," said Joe Bryan, chairman of the Wake County commission.

A decision is expected by the spring. Richard Stevens was Wake County manager when the property for the landfill was first bought. Now a state senator, Stevens is against the Holly Spring landfill, because of all the growth there.