County Purchases Property To Solve Dirt Problem At Landfill

Putnam County has purchased property adjacent to the landfill at Cookeville Boat Dock Road.

County Mayor Randy Porter said the $65,000 property will supply ground cover for the landfill.

“I think the $5,900 an acre is a very reasonable price for that 11 acres compared to the price of other land that we’re seeing across the county,” Porter said. “Looking at the estimation that Keith (solid waste director) and the engineer have done, it (11-acres) will hold us at least 10-years or probably longer.”

The landfill has begun to run out of dirt to use for covering construction waste. Porter said last week that the county could choose to haul in the dirt, but he cautioned that the process would become too expensive.

“If we have that land, the only thing that separates it and the landfill is a fence,” Porter said. “All we have to do is cut a hole in the fence, dig the dirt off of it, and bring it over into the landfill. It will save us a tremendous amount of money in the future.”

Money for the purchase will come out of the county’s solid waste fund. The Putnam County Commission voted to approve the land purchase during Monday night’s meeting.