03/21/2026
3/13/26, 110 Grill, Athol
(from left to right) Sue Rousseau & Alan Rousseau, (Gardner Clean Air Co-Chairs), Ivan Ussach, (Millers River Watershed Council Director)
3/17/26 Update
Dear Friends of Gardner Clean Air,
It has been a month since Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson announced that the City is discontinuing the Sludge Landfill (SLF) Expansion and is reviewing only the alternative options outlined in the reports received from the state MEPA Office and Mass DEP. We applaud this decision as it is a big win for the citizens of Gardner and Templeton!! Since this announcement, we have been overwhelmed with the many positive emails, calls, and Face Book posts. YOU HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THIS VICTORY AND WE THANK YOU!!!
Last Friday, we met with Ivan Ussach at the 110 Grill in Athol (see photo). It was a chance to celebrate the victory and to discuss the future. This victory would not have been possible without the 12-year partnership of the MRWC & GCA. This partnership developed a very effective coalition of local residents, state-wide environmental organizations, and subject matter experts. As to the future, we must now focus on the next phase that includes:
1. Proper operation and eventual closure of the existing SLF.
2. Review of sustainable sludge management alternatives for Gardner.
The following are some updates resulting from City January / February public record requests and monitoring various public meetings.
1. SLF Operation and eventual closure – .
a. SLF Enforcement Order (EO) - The Gardner Con Com met on Monday 3/9/26 (video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5tmVNu6_jU ). The Commission requested the DPW to provide updated DPW inspection reports and then a proposed plan for repairs for the stormwater infrastructure. And, what the maintenance plan is going to be for the next four years, at least. The EO was continued to the 4/13/26 meeting.
b. 2025 Sludge Landfill Operations Report – The report (by McClure Engineering Inc., 2/13/26) is uploaded to our Dropbox file share at this link: 2025 Operations Report_FNL_SBMTL_2-13-26.pdf . The report estimates 4 years of remaining lifespan. The report contains some detail on six inspections, but has significant omissions and lacks inspection of critical SLF stormwater and leachate infrastructure.
c. Landfill Repair Projects – Two projects are now under way to replace the Leachate Pump Station and repair the Solid Waste (SW) Landfill Leachate Pumps. Another project, yet to be funded, will be needed for SW Landfill erosion repairs.
d. SLF Closure Regulations – A DPW Director 2/17/26 email mentions that the SLF will be near or at capacity sometime in 2029. The BRP WP 34 Approval of Closure Plans for Wastewater Residual Landfills doc is available at this link: https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-brp-wp-34-approval-of-closure-plans-for-wastewater-treatment-residual-landfills-0/download . Notification of closure: The owner or operator of a landfill must submit for Department review and approval a closure/post closure plan at least six (6) months prior to proposed closure activities.
2. Sludge Management Alternatives
a. Waste Management - Mark George (Area Manager for Sustainable Solutions at Waste Management) contacted DPW Director Dane Arnold on 2/4/26 to discuss opportunities for Gardner. A meeting was scheduled and some pricing has been provided to the City for a new WM facility in Maine. The DPW Director is following up with further information on trucking logistics and costs.
b. Alternatives Review Process - At this point, it is unclear as to the process that will be used to solicit and evaluate alternatives. Questions such as: Will an RFP be issued by the City? Will this be done utilizing consultants or City staff or both? How will the alternatives review be communicated to the public?
Let us know if you have any questions.
Our Very Best Regards,
Alan & Sue Rousseau
