County Considering Property Purchase As Solution For Dirt Problem At Landfill

Putnam County may have found a solution for a landfill that’s running out of dirt.

The landfill at Cookeville Boat Dock Road uses the dirt for covering construction waste. County Mayor Randy Porter said the County Commission will consider purchasing land adjacent to the landfill during next week’s meeting.

“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.”

The county’s only other option would be trucking in dirt to use as ground cover, but Porter said that option would become expensive.

“If you price dirt and hauling the dirt lately, it will not take long at all to eat that up and a whole lot more,” Porter said.

The Putnam County Fiscal Review Committee recommended moving forward with purchasing the 11 acres during Monday night’s meeting. Porter said the property will cost $65,000, or about $5,900 per acre.

“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.”

Money for the purchase will come out of the county’s solid waste fund. The full county commission will consider the committee’s recommendation when they meet Monday at 6 p.m.