On June 7, Dalton voters rejected a permanent zoning ordinance for their town. There was a huge turnout and 60% voted no.
This was a referendum on zoning, not the proposed Dalton landfill, and there was apparent concern about the loss of property rights if zoning was enacted.
We had hoped that Dalton residents would approve a permanent zoning ordinance because we believe it would provide local control of development and also guidelines to maintain the high quality of life the town endorses in its master plan.
NCABC does not expect this vote to affect our efforts to make sure that the Dalton landfill never gets permitted and built.
Other developments:
- HB 1454, the bill that would prevent siting landfills where they pose a significant risk of groundwater contamination, is still headed to Governor Sununu’s desk. He has expressed reservations about the bill, but we are giving him the facts that support enacting the bill along with showing him the broad commitment of businesses, conservationists and the public to clean water in NH.
- We hope he will sign the bill into law. If he vetoes HB 1454, NCABC will send you a call to action. We will be working statewide during the summer if we need to override a veto in the NH House and Senate.
- Last week Casella withdrew all of its pending permit applications to build a landfill in Dalton. This is a strong indication that their applications were weak and that our opposition to their plans was strong. Unfortunately, Casella has said it will resubmit permit applications later in 2022. We believe the company’s landfill plan will proceed, given potential earnings projected at about $1 billion from the Dalton site. NCABC will challenge future actions by Casella, as necessary, until the company recognizes the Dalton site is totally unsuitable for a new greenfield landfill.
Thank you! Our successes are your successes. We appreciate all of the calls to action and fundraising appeals that you have so generously supported. Your engagement will continue to be essential in the months ahead.
Please know that NCABC will continue to work hard with you and our growing group of allies throughout NH and beyond to protect the environment and the quality of life in NH’s North Country.
NCABC Board of Directors
Sarah Doucette, Gary Ghioto, Erik Johnson, Mary Menzies, Wayne Morrison, Tom Tower, Eliot Wessler