DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County commissioners say they will take a close look at the county landfill after complaints were lodged Tuesday against the company that manages it.
Jeff Daggett, speaking for nearly 40 residents of the Smyrna Road community adjoining the landfill, told commissioners that they’re “tired” of Santek Environmental, the landfill’s operator.
Mr. Daggett presented photographs showing uncovered trash, smoke from a fire at the landfill, roads littered with trash and dirt and garbage uncovered on a weekend. He said area residents regularly are awakened by late-night or early morning dumping.
“I’m the closest person to the landfill except for (one other resident),” he said. “I’d be glad to move if they’d buy me out.”
Cheryl Dunson, Santek’s vice president for marketing, responded that state inspections of the landfill for the past six months found no violations, and that managers of the facility work to minimize its impact on the community.
“This past week was the first time I’ve heard complaints,” she said.
Commission Chairman Ronnie Raper told the residents that commissioners have visited the landfill and have given their findings to County Executive Billy Ray Patton.
Mr. Raper appointed himself and Commissioners Tom Smith, Johnny Mincy and Doyle Montgomery to a committee to meet with community residents, investigate the situation and give recommendations to the commission at its April meeting.
In other matters, commissioners approved a budget amendment for the school board to pay unemployment compensation to a retired employee who, since retirement, has been laid off from another job.
County Finance Director Billy Graham told budget committee members that the retired employee had filed for unemployment after his layoff, but he had not worked for that company long enough for the benefits to be charged to that firm.
Following regulations, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development assessed his previous employer — the county — for his unemployment benefits.
“That’s not right, to make us pay an employee who has retired,” Mr. Mincy said.
Tom Davis is based in Rhea County. Contact him at tsdavis@volstate.net.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories: