The committee met on Saturday for the first public hearing at Vibz Uptown on Main Street. There were perhaps 25 or 30 people in attendance, with a strong contingent from the North End Seniors in Action. Councilperson Cotto gave a brief summary of the developments and time line of the closure & post-closure activities: capping will be done by 2011, CRRA has to maintain the landfill for at least the next 30 years, there is the potential of $1mil from the State of Connecticut for the City to use for development (though the State Bonding Commission has not released the money as of right now) and the post-closure plans are subject to approval by the CT Department of Environment Protection.
Many of those in attendance expressed concerns about the safety of the capped landfill and urged that any development should wait until all safety concerns have been addressed. The North End Seniors in Action shared that view and believe that up until that time perhaps that area should be left alone and flowers can be grown on it. For instance, the group wondered if the membrane in use is the best available. Once and if the land is suitably safe, a cemetery could be created on top as well as the development of renewal energy systems was their ultimate recommendation for use.
Former City Councilman, current Hartford Republican Party Chairman and newspaper columnist Mike McGarry delivered a presentation on the notion of creating commercial greenhouses atop of the landfill. The approximately 40 acres of flat terrain on the landform would provide enough greenhouse space to produce upwards of 100 tons of produce per year. He stressed that these would provide between 100 and 150 jobs, would contribute to the City's tax rolls and would develop a new industry in the City. He also suggested that there were already potential greenhouse developers ready and willing to begin operation atop the landfill site. Mr. McGarry said that with the Committee's blessing, he would develop a full-scale proposal for development of greenhouses.
We hope that you'll be able to join us for the next public hearing on October 7 at 5:30 in the Hartford Public Library's main branch.
* Greenhouse photograph comes from the International Greenhouse Company's website. However, this does not denote a preference towards the product of said company by the committee.
