Halifax Landfill Repair Costs Surge
Board of Selectmen weigh $300,000-$400,000 landfill project
HALIFAX - June 24 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen faces mounting costs for repairing the Hemlock Lane Landfill, with estimates jumping from an initial $50,000 to potentially $400,000, while a separate dispute over water department overtime pay raises questions about communication and authority within town government.
Mike Martin, a senior program manager with TIC Companies who has monitored the landfill since 2007, presented updated repair options to the board during their June 24 meeting. The project addresses ongoing drainage and erosion issues that have plagued the site for years.
"Over the years what has happened is the drainage swale is not functioning properly," Martin said. "That is resulting in stormwater during rain events overtopping the swale and has led to two major areas of erosion."
The repair scope has expanded significantly since initial discussions in January, following a site walk with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in March. What began as a simple erosion fix now includes surveying, regrading the entire drainage swale, removing invasive Japanese knotweed, clearing trees from the landfill cap, and creating access for future maintenance.
"The finances to do the actual repair have increased significantly," Martin explained. "Instead of being maybe $50,000, you're looking at maybe $300,000 to $400,000 to do all the additional work now."
However, Martin presented a third option that could generate revenue for the town. A larger project involving importing 60,000 to 65,000 yards of clean soil would cost the town only $10,000 after factoring in tipping fees of $10 to $12 per ton.
"When you do the larger project, yes," Martin confirmed when asked about the $10,000 net cost to Halifax.
The expanded project would also allow the town to potentially double its solar footprint on the site, increasing lease revenue from the current solar installation.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad noted the financial complexity of the larger project, explaining that while the town would need to appropriate the full amount upfront, revenue would be generated during construction as tipping fees come in.
The board requested Martin prepare detailed proposals for all three options before making a decision, with Chair Jonathan Selig emphasizing the need to balance necessary repairs with fiscal responsibility.
In a separate but equally contentious issue, the Board addressed a grievance filed by the Halifax Water Department that was resolved without their knowledge, undermining the Board of Selectmen's authority in collective bargaining.
The dispute centers on overtime pay provisions in a contract ratified in June 2023. The agreement changed overtime eligibility to require 40 hours of actual work per week, rather than 40 hours of scheduled time including vacation or sick leave.
Water Superintendent Bill Lindsay granted a grievance in September 2024 that restored the previous overtime calculation method, but never informed town administration of the decision. Haddad discovered the change only during a routine payroll review in late May.
"The board, in a meeting with counsel, advised that they were going to stick with their interpretation of the language, which was you had to physically work 40 hours a week for overtime," Haddad said. "That was communicated to the water department."
Haddad emphasized that the issue extends beyond the specific overtime provision to questions of authority and transparency in town government.
"When we bargain a contract, whether it's this contract or any contract, there's financial implications," Haddad explained. "So we cost things out. I present that information to the board, and that's how you make your decisions on whether to approve contracts."
Water Commissioner Dick Clark defended the department's actions, arguing they followed the grievance procedure outlined in the contract.
"Nobody tried to sidestep anything," Clark said. "Bill followed the grievance procedure that's written in the contract."
The water commissioners expressed frustration about being excluded from contract negotiations, with Clark noting that under the previous town administrator, the commission was invited to every bargaining session.
"We're asking you people, before you sign it, to ask us if we agree. Give us a look at it, at least," Clark said. "We see nothing. You people signed it, and it's a done deal."
Lindsay argued the provision was unfair to water department employees, who must work seven days a week to monitor wells and maintain the system.
"We're the only department that has to work seven days a week," Lindsay said. "Holidays, they lose out."
John Roberts, representing AFSCME Council 93, confirmed the union had attempted multiple times to resolve the issue before filing the grievance.
"We reached out multiple times to correct what we thought was an injustice," Roberts said. "We were met with complete silence."
Haddad stressed that the water department operates as a town department, not an independent water district, and must collaborate with other town functions.
Selig called for improved communication going forward, particularly regarding grievances that affect previously negotiated agreements.
"I don't think the town should learn about grievances nine months after the fact," Selig said. "I do feel like just in the spirit of good faith in the town, we should be given a heads up."
**Other Business**
The board also approved several items during the meeting:
• A memorial bench honoring Joshua Aaron Curtis, to be funded entirely by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6258 and the Council on Aging
• Tyler Hughes' Eagle Scout project to rebuild flower beds at Vaughn Park and the police department
• Use of $2,000 from opioid settlement funds for a Junior Police Academy focused on drug awareness
• Various permits for upcoming community events including Halifax fireworks on June 28
The board scheduled a special meeting for July 1 to interview candidates for interim town administrator, as Haddad prepares to leave his position in the coming weeks.