The Hardwick Landfill, operated by Casella Waste Systems Inc., is currently under consideration for reopening by 2028, pending necessary permits and zoning approvals. The landfill, located on Patrill Hollow Road, would have a 48-acre footprint, including the adjacent gravel pit along Patrill Hollow Road, and anticipates about 50 trucks delivering waste daily. Projected operating hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The landfill would accept municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris, totaling approximately 350,000 tons annually.  Long-time Hardwick residents Dan and Daryl Roach would be involved in the operations of the landfill. The proposed financial benefits to the town include a $6-per-ton host community fee, amounting to an estimated $2.1 million per year, and an additional $500,000 yearly for disposing of landfill wastewater at the Gilbertville municipal wastewater treatment plant. The landfill is projected to have a capacity to operate for 13 years.  Casella will pay the cost of maintaining a landfill monitor at the site, and of an independent engineering consultant, who will be retained and managed by the Town.    

The reopening of the landfill would require the Town to take certain actions to terminate a portion and reconfigure a portion of Patrill Hollow Road.  The conceptual plan is to terminate the road at two points at the northwest and southwest boundaries of land owned by Hardwick Landfill, Inc. on the east side of Patrill Hollow Road.  We expect that the roadway modifications and improvements, which would not likely take place until 2026 or later, would be at no cost to the Town.

Casella was approached by certain members of the Town to consider reopening the Landfill, which has been closed since 2007.  In response to this outreach, Casella has expressed interest in re-engaging with the Hardwick community to explore the possibility of reopening the landfill, reflecting the potential for economic development and public benefits through a host community agreement and leachate agreement. The proposal is contingent on community support, and discussions with Hardwick residents and stakeholders at various levels are anticipated as part of the process.

Landfill gas, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, is generated during the decomposition of organic waste. Gas collection systems capture this gas to prevent odors, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and have the ability to harness it for energy production through landfill gas-to-energy or renewable natural gas projects.

Daily cover material is applied to the waste surface to minimize odor and nuisance and to reduce windblown litter when the landfill is open and operating. Upon closure, a final cap made of HDPE geomembrane, geotextile, and drainage sand finished with a vegetative support layer is installed to minimize water infiltration, which reduces wastewater generation and further gas production.

Monitoring wells currently exist around the perimeter of the landfill and are tested regularly for groundwater quality.  Groundwater sample results are provided to the Hardwick Board of Health. 

Subtitle D requires that landfills have a plan for closure and post-closure maintenance. This includes maintaining the integrity of the final cap, continuing gas and wastewater management, and monitoring groundwater. 

Casella is responsible for conducting these activities for a minimum of 30 years after landfill closure to ensure long-term environmental protection.