Options at a glance

by Kristen Lombardi

Five options are being considered as officials, and ultimately city council, determine how to properly cap the 25-year-old Green Hill Park landfill. Here is a look at the options.

* Under the first option, the city would dispose of all street-sweepings and catch-basin materials outside of Worcester. Department of Public Works Commissioner Robert Moylan estimates a $1 million cost annually (the price of hauling waste), which would result in a 14-cent increase to the $1.64 sewer rate. If this option were to be approved, Green Hill's landfill would be left alone.

* Under the second option, street-sweepings and catch-basin materials would be used as fill to cap the Green Hill landfill beginning in 1999, ending three years later. One soccer field would be built immediately; the plan also calls for $500,000 each year for additional park improvements. Moylan estimates a cost of $1 million per year to implement, which would increase the sewer rate by 15 cents.

* The third option calls for the Green Hill landfill to begin being capped with street waste in 1999, concluding six years later. One soccer field would be built immediately, and another soccer field, a basketball court, a 100-car parking lot, and a concession stand would be built in 2003. City officials call for $700,000 annually for additional park improvements, under this plan. Moylan estimates the third option would cost $580,000 a year to implement, resulting in an eight-cent increase in sewer rates.

* The fourth option caps the dumpsite with street waste, starting in 1999 and ending 12 years later. It provides for one soccer field immediately, a second soccer field, and half of a 200-car parking lot after six years, and finally, a third soccer field, a basketball court, and the parking lot's other half once the lanfill is capped. Moylan estimates this would cost $200,000 a year to implement, which results in a three-cent hike in sewer fees.

* The fifth option, included this summer as an amendment to the four proposals, offers to cap Green Hill's landfill with clean, toxin-free materials immediately. Officials estimate such a plan would cost $2 million, and no recreational facilities would be provided. Officials estimate another $1 million to convert the dumpsite into a recreational area.

Back to In the dumps Kristen Lombardi can be reached at klombardi[a]phx.com.