Keep abusing the Middleburgh “dump” and you’re going to lose it.
That’s the word Highway Superintendent Steve Kowalski has for those—many of whom don’t even live in Middleburgh—dumping everything from construction debris to fireworks at the Cotton Hill road site—and then talking about it all over Facebook.
“It’s out of control. I can’t police it,” Mr. Kowalski told the Town Board Thursday.
“They don’t even try to hide what they’re doing there.”
The property has long been closed as a landfill, but allows Middleburgh-only residents to dump brush and leaves.
“No Building Debris Or Household Garbage. Brush And Leaves Only,” and “Notice This Property Is Protected By Video Surveillance,” reads two signs at the site—both ignored, Mr. Kowalski said.
Contractors are using it for construction debris, he said; others are using it as a place for old appliances.
Mr. Kowalski said his fear is that DEC will get alarmed about what’s going on there and go in and close it down.
That will be a loss to those using it appropriately, both he and Supervisor Wes Laraway said, with some gathering wood chips from the dump and others going in and cutting up trees for firewood.
MIDTEL asked for the OK to dump some old telephone poles there, Mr. Kowalski said.
He said yes—and they’re already gone.
“If it doesn’t stop, it will be closed,” Mr. Laraway said.
Mr. Kowalski said there’s no way to block off the dump; councilmen suggested bigger or more signage and with the publicity, neighbors might keep more of an eye on trespassers—and report them.
“People need to follow the rules or the privilege will be gone,” he said.
Also Thursday, Mr. Kowalski said work by County DPW is beginning on Huntersland Road near Brooky Hollow.
Traffic will be detoured over Gridley, Cotton Hill, and Posson Roads—some of them roads the DPW has spent considerable money on the last few years, Mr. Kowalski said.