On Monday, the Scotland County Board of Commissioners voted to end discussion of a proposed 240-acre landfill at Old Maxton and Patterson roads within one mile of Maxton town limits. Maxton officials had passed a resolution on May 19 opposing the landfill on grounds that it would damage the environment, annoy residents with its odor, and make it difficult for Maxton to attract businesses and pursue economic development.
Scotland County’s plans to build the landfill as a way of bringing revenue to the county were not only opposed by residents in Maxton. Residents from Scotland County and other nearby areas also opposed the project that they contend would have turned Scotland County into a dumping ground for trash from all over the state.
Scotland County Manager Kevin Patterson said this morning that the county commissioners passed the resolution terminating all aspects of creating the landfill because the “general will of Scotland County residents was against the proposal.”
“Of course, they always have the option to look at it again in the future,’’ Patterson said. “But that’s not likely to happen anytime soon.”
Maxton Mayor Gladys Dean said she is glad the idea of creating the large landfill has been put to rest.
“It pleases me to know that the Scotland County Board of Commissioners reversed their decision to proceed with the mega-dump process,” she said. “I hope that in the future they will design innovative ways to balance their budget that will enhance the quality of life for citizens in this area, rather than destroying the quality of life.”
About 200 people attended a public meeting in Maxton on April 28, most opposing the creation of the landfill. Those in attendance included county commissioners from Scotland and Richmond counties, a former town commissioner from Maxton, a member of the Lumbee Tribal Council, and members of businesses and civic organizations.
At the meeting, Patterson said that about 3,000 tons of trash would be collected a day, and the landfill would generate about $2 million in revenue for Scotland County each year.
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