I attended the meeting held at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center on Sept. 5 to discuss Casella’s proposal to take over the Lewiston landfill. I came away stunned.

I won’t even go into the environmental issues at stake – and they are legion. I won’t even name the health risks inherent in this proposal – and they are considerable. Without even going into the predictable environmental and health liabilities, this proposal is reprehensible: a landfill designed to provide responsibly for the waste disposal needs of L-A for the next 600 years will, if this proposal goes through, be filled to capacity in 30 years.

The short-term gain: $47 million. The long-term loss: priceless – the good character of the citizens of Lewiston and their commitment to protect the land for future generations. This proposal betrays future generations for a few pieces of silver. That night, the Lewiston city administrator stated city staff would remain neutral on this proposal. In this situation, such neutrality is cowardice and an abandonment of responsibility.

I am in disbelief this proposal has gained a serious hearing by community leaders. Not only have they heard it, but having heard it they failed to see its disastrous implications. The whole episode is shameful. If it goes to referendum, may the citizens of Lewiston forthrightly reject this proposal and proceed further to vote out and call for the resignation of those leaders who refused to act on their behalf and on behalf of generations to come.

David Wood, Auburn