Town, RIRRC Officials To Skip Hearing

Mayor Joseph Polisena announced this afternoon that he and other town officials won't be at tonight's session of the special House Commission on , the company that runs the Central Landfill.

"On the advice of the town solicitor, we — the town council and I — will not be attending," Polisena explained during an interview at .

Earlier today, RIRRC said in a statement that it gave Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Cranston, Johnston) documents outlining their remediation efforts in advance of tonight's meeting.

"RIRRC originally intended to make a presentation at this evening’s commission meeting. Unfortunately, the recently filed litigation by the town of Johnston has precluded RIRRC from being able to attend," according to a release.

The company also said in the statement that it is taking additional measures to rectify the odor problem that has been spreading a stink across Johnston and surrounding communities — measures recommended by the state Department of Environmental Management earlier this week.

Rhode Island Resource Recovery said it will stop using construction and demolition debris as "alternate daily cover," install Posi-Shell — a waste cover similar in consistency to cement as daily cover, and install up to 11 additional vertical wells to capture the gas producing the stench. Forty-two wells have already been installed. The agency will also install an additional gas-burning flare as a backup to the four flares already in operation.

RIRRC said it was taking these steps ahead of the deadline set by the state Department of Environmental Management as part of a corrective action plan agreed upon between the two agencies.

Shortly after acknowledging an odor problem and receiving a letter of noncompliance from the DEM last month, RIRRC said it expected to have the situation under control and the odor reduced by the end of December.

But patience is wearing thin among residents who have been smelling the odor for weeks and weeks and local leaders who have been calling for immediate action and formed a special committee to investigate the issue.

and contractor Broadrock Renewables in Providence Superior Court on Wednesday alleging breach of contract and creation of a public nuisance.

RIRRC Director Mike OConnell said the agency is "utilizing every possible resource to ensure that this problem is resolved."

“There are only four methods to address odor issues from gases produced by active landfills: You can minimize the source of the odors, cover them, neutralize them or destroy the gas by flaring it off or converting it into energy," he said. "Ultimately, you have to collect the gas that is produced. The steps we have taken and the steps we continue to take are the best methods to get this situation under control."

Today's release also included the following:

If you wish to submit an odor complaint or let the corporation know that the odors have improved, please call 401-942-1430 Ext. 150 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.), or the 24/7 line at 401-413-6219, or write to them at info@rirrc.org. Due to the litigation filed by the town of Johnston, any additional inquiries should be directed to Thomas Holt with K&L Gates at 617-261-3165.