EUTAW-the possibility of a landfill in the West Greene area prompted residents of Greene County to pack the courtroom for the commission’s Tuesday meeting.

The Greene County Commission voted Tuesday to accept the Greene County Solid Waste Authority’s recommendation to move forward with a proposal for a landfill. However, this does not necessarily mean the landfill is a done deal.

Greene County Commission Chairman Chip Beeker said there would be a Nov. 14 public hearing on the matter. Beeker said he was not in favor of a landfill, but the county needed a way to back the services they provide.

“I’m not in favor of a landfill,” Beeker said. “My position is that we have got to have revenue to sustain the services the county offers. If we are going to continue to provide the services we have got to have funding.”

Regional Environmental Service Co. wants to build a landfill for household garbage and construction debris on 1,000 acres of land owned by Weyerhaeuser.

For some, the project appears to be a double-edged sword with jobs and economic benefits. However, the landfills presence could also hurt development.

The county is currently spending about $3,500 a month on garbage disposal. The proposed landfill would actually generate revenue for the county.

However, there are several concerns. Landowners fear the landfill’s smell and the possible contamination of rivers could have an impact on plants, fish and wildlife.

Regional Environmental Service Co., which is based out of Montgomery still has a long way to go before the landfill can become a reality. They must first be approved by the commission and then receive a permit for from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

The facility is expected to cost around $10 million and could employ as many as 25 people.