The Sept. 8 Conservation Commission meeting heard contentious debate when it came to one, seemingly innocuous, agenda item: an old dump that is in need of landfill capping, some in town say. But third-party findings indicate some planning may need to be remedied to meet state and local standards.

Though the old landfill that operated in the 1970s until 1981, and was inactive by 1983, hardly resembles a trash heap these days, remaining waste could pose a threat to the environment, abutters and surrounding wetlands — issues that were raised at Monday night’s meeting. 

The 22-acre area along Sears Road is privately owned by Paul LaFlamme and his wife, Michelle, who are seeking an agreement with the town to cap the landfill. The former landfill's footprint spills over onto town-owned land.

According to earlier reports from 2013, it was discovered that the dimensions of the former landfill were wider than originally expected after test borings were made at 34 locations around the site.

Read more at heraldnews.com.