Can anyone believe that Lewiston city officials are actually considering signing an agreement with Casella Waste Systems to transport out-of-state trash to the Lewiston landfill? Does that make sense to anyone?

What about the 400-foot-high mountain of debris that the plan would create?

What of the putrid, pungent odors emanating from that mountain of out-of-state debris?

All people need to do is drive north toward Bangor. Before arriving in Hampden, they will smell and then see Sawyer Mountain – another of Casella’s masterpieces.

One of the most important factors city officials seem to have overlooked is the health impact the project would have on citizens, especially those with compromised respiratory conditions. A report put out by the Toxic Action Center of Boston mentions some of the chemicals and gases found in other Casella landfill sites: hydrogen sulfide, vinyl choride, dichlorathene, benzene, arsenic and other metals. In Hampden, the town engineer has identified such chemicals as responsible for contaminating groundwater near the landfill. In Biddeford, dangerous emissions from the MERC incinerator threaten area residents with exposure to mercury, volatile organic chemicals and dioxins. In Norridgewock, residents have developed skin sores, rashes and experienced respiratory problems that were nonexistent prior to the landfill.

Is that the type of corporate neighbor Lewiston wants?

Is that the legacy residents want to leave to their children and grandchildren?

Are people willing to gamble on overall health or possible increases in cancer rates?

We must not allow that to happen.

Rachelle Michel, Lewiston