Solid Waste Committee Chairman Fred Kahrl of Woolwich wants to make sure the town's covered and sealed landfill is protected and maintained. But selectmen said they were upset to learn he had mowed the area recently without their approval.

In previous years, the town has paid $300 for the seasonal mowing, according to town officials, but Kahrl volunteered to mow the area at no expense to the town. This past summer, the area was not mowed. Kahrl had said he had been awaiting authorization from selectmen to use herbicide on some invasive plants there.

He and other residents are concerned the invasive plants could break through the landfill's clay membrane, causing rainwater to force whatever is inside to leach out and into nearby residential wells. Kahrl drew some criticism from selectmen during their October 15 meeting after reporting he had almost finished mowing the top of the landfill using his tractor.

In a previous meeting, selectmen said the mowing should wait until after they consult with Pine Tree Engineering in Bath, as the ground could be too wet. However, Kahrl said the ground was extremely firm and dry on top of the landfill and when the weather cooperated he would finish the mowing. 

“I was shocked to see it was being mowed,” selectman Jason Shaw said, reiterating his concern that the board had agreed at the last meeting the mowing should hold off for the time being.

“What I heard was, 'if it was too wet',” Kahrl said.

Board Chairman David King said it is the town's responsibility to maintain this area. To get a site assessment from Pine Tree could cost as much as $2000, he added, just to see if the ground was too wet to mow.

“The Board of Selectmen is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of that landfill,” King said. “If anything goes to pieces over there, we're the ones who are going to be sitting in the hot seat.”

King said he wanted to work out a plan with Kahrl to maintain the landfill area.

He said, “You've done a wonderful job; I can't find any fault with the work you've done,” but added he wanted to make sure the maintenance of the landfill is consistent. He confirmed that the area is dry enough and the clay membrane had not been damaged at all, the reason why selectmen did not ask Kahrl to stop mowing. “I just think we need to just have better communications.”

At the beginning of his report, Kahrl said he would like to treat the burdock and other invasive plants with a selective herbicide next spring. He said it kills the broad leafed plants, but allows the grass underneath to grow.