HALIFAX - February 18, 2026 - The Halifax Board of Health voted unanimously Wednesday night to hire an independent engineering firm to review remediation plans for the Marilyn’s Landing project, responding to mounting resident fears over the importation of “contaminated soil.” Amidst a crowded room of frustrated abutters, the Board selected Tighe & Bond to provide a third-party analysis of the current proposal, specifically tasked with determining if the landfill can be properly capped and repaired without the massive influx of out-of-town “remedial dirt” that has neighbors fearing for their health and property values.
The Full Story
The meeting, which lasted just under 30 minutes, was dominated by the long-standing tension surrounding the Marilyn’s Landing site. Chair Pam Engstrom opened the session by immediately moving to the discussion of hiring an outside expert [01:17]. Interim Health Agent Bob Buker presented a list of three reputable firms—Tighe & Bond, SITEC Engineering, and TRC Companies—recommending Tighe & Bond due to their existing familiarity with Halifax’s landfill monitoring and site management [02:19].
The Board’s objective is clear: they want an unbiased set of eyes to look at the plans approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). “To be clear, what we’re talking about... would be an independent engineer to review the plans that have been presented to us,” Chair Engstrom clarified, “and potentially offer us alternatives to the proposed plan” [03:12]. Co Chair Candice Greene agreed, noting that using a firm already established with the town made logical sense for time and context [03:32].
Once the vote to hire Tighe & Bond was finalized [04:22], the floor was opened to a public comment session that revealed deep-seated distrust between residents and the project developers. Neighbors from Sycamore Drive, Walnut Street, and Circuit Street lined up to voice their opposition to the “moving target” of the remediation’s height and the quality of the soil being trucked into town.
Deb Winiewicz of Sycamore Drive warned the Board that previous officials had signed off on the project in “good faith” only to see the timeline and scope expand far beyond original promises [06:10]. Abutter John Bodell, who built his house 33 years ago believing the dump was capped and closed, questioned the ethics of the current operation. “They’re still profiting off of this property... they’re not trying to just take care of it and fix it... Let’s fix it right, that’s all I really care about as an abutter” [07:22].
The core of the residents’ concern lies in the “remedial” nature of the soil. Several speakers, including Michael of Circuit Street and Van Donnelly of Cranberry Drive, argued that if the landfill needs a cap, it should be done with “clean dirt,” even if that increases the cost for the developer [11:11], [18:06]. Tom Pratt, who also serves on the Select Board, urged the Board of Health to look past any donations or tipping fees the developer might offer the town, stressing that environmental safety must outweigh short-term financial gains [12:44].
The emotional peak of the meeting came from Frederick Corrigan, who reminded the room that the town originally voted to close the landfill decades ago. “The people have spoken and it appears that our vote doesn’t count... do we need to create a town-wide militia that stands and says ‘You aren’t coming into this landfill’?” [16:00].
Chair Engstrom concluded the discussion by noting that the independent engineer would specifically look for “alternatives to fixing this that do not involve adding all of this extra soil” [09:12].
Why It Matters
For Halifax residents, this isn’t just a technical engineering dispute; it’s a battle over the town’s legacy and environmental future. The decision to hire Tighe & Bond represents a significant step by the Board of Health to assert local oversight over a project that many feel has been steamrolled by state DEP approvals. If the independent review finds that the remediation can be completed with less soil or cleaner materials, it could force a massive shift in how Marilyn’s Landing operates, potentially protecting local well water and air quality for the next generation.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To choose Tighe & Bond as the independent review engineer for the Marilyn’s Landing project.
Vote: Unanimous ([04:27])
Motion: To approve Disposal Works Permits for 159 Walnut St, 318 Plymouth St, and 553 Monponsett St.
Vote: Unanimous ([22:34])
Motion: To approve various Public Health Excellence Grant accounts and nursing service expenses.
Motion: To approve meeting minutes from January 21, 2026, with amendments to correct the names of Bob Buker and Chair Engstrom.
Vote: Unanimous ([24:10])
Public Comment
Public feedback was overwhelmingly critical of the Marilyn’s Landing project. Common themes included the height of the landfill (reportedly growing from 144 to over 170 feet), the lack of air monitoring during soil transport, the use of “contaminated” vs. “clean” soil, and a perceived lack of transparency regarding tipping fees and developer promises [05:05] - [21:21].
What’s Next
Tighe & Bond will begin their independent review of the Marilyn’s Landing remediation plans. The findings will be presented at a future Board of Health meeting, though a specific date has not yet been set [04:05].
Source Video: Area 58 Community Access