Mayoral Candidate Michael Bardsley and Incumbent Mayor Clare Higgins participated in a debate on WGGB hosted by Dave Madsen. The two discussed several issues regarding the City of Northampton and one viewer's question asked about the expansion of the landfill. Interestingly, the viewer was from the City of Easthampton rather than someone from Northampton, which illustrates how this is not just an issue facing our city.

At about 13 minutes, the question asked was "How would you feel if it was Easthampton putting or expanding the landfill over a Northampton water supply?"

Higgins comments that no decision has yet been made as to what the City will do with the landfill, but then goes on to say that we need a place to put our trash. Although she acknowledges that this is a Regional problem, she does not elaborate on why Northampton is willing to become the dumping ground of the Region's trash. Higgins also states that she is comfortable with the science regarding the Environmental and Health concerns.

Michael Bardsley stated, "I don't think that we should have an expansion unless we can guarantee the health and safety of the residents living near there and also the environment." He also added that the City will probably have to close the landfill as the expansion would not be completed before the current landfill would reach capacity. This he said would provide "Northampton an opportunity to change our habits in the way that we deal with our trash."

Both candidates agreed that Recycling efforts needed to be improved and Bardsley pointed out an interesting fact:

In the last 10 years, during the leadership of Higgins, the City of Northampton's recycling rate has dropped from 60% down to 30%. Quite a shocking statistic!!

Higgins placed the blame of low recycling on the fact that the bag fee has not been raised and stated that she felt that increased bag fees would lead to increased rates of recycling.
Bardsley countered that he felt that what was missing was aggressive programs and options where people can easily access recycling and ultimately what was missing was leadership addressing the environment and recycling.
Higgins countered that there was leadership on the environment and cited the land added to Open Space in the City.
 
Both candidates agreed that there is a trust issue with the public regarding the operation of the landfill. For more on that, see my comments at a recent City Council meeting posted at North Street Neighborhood Association.


The video is 26 minutes and 53 seconds. Here is the link to the video, or watch below. WGGB Northampton Mayoral Debate