The CCGG is a grass-roots organization dedicated to educating the community about ongoing issues that will have far-reaching impact upon our town and future.

We recently met with several of the members of Concerned Citizens Group for Granby to discuss their current actions in opposition to the expansion of the Holyoke Sanitary Landfill (HSL). The proposed expansion would allow for an 85-foot vertical expansion and an 89-ton increase in the amount of waste accepted at the site. These increases would make the landfill the 2nd largest in the state of Massachusetts. Although these figures alone are disturbing, the deeper concerns of CCGG lie in the failings of local democracy and the disregard for community and environmental health.

Waste Management, Inc. is the private owner of the 74-acre plot of land on which the HSL is located. Since 1974, HSL has been accepting waste from within the town of Granby and from outside sources as far away as Connecticut. Along with this "municipal waste," EPA documents show that hazardous chemicals such as benzene, xylene and 1,1 dichlorethane (all of which are probable carcinogens) are thought to have been dumped at the HSL site. Despite repeated efforts by the CCGG to have their concerns heard by the town selectmen, there has been no action taken to date to identify and catalogue the possible health and environmental effects resulting from the presence of these and other chemicals in the landfill. In addition, there has been no discussion by town officials regarding possible preventative measures that could be taken to protect the citizens of Granby.

Rather than acting in response to the concerns of their constituency, Granby town officials continue to evade the democratic process by supporting Waste Management, Inc. in its endeavors to expand the landfill. The reason behind this underhandedness is the desire for economic gain. For every ton of trash dumped in the HSL, Waste Management, Inc. receives $85.00-$100.00. Under the new agreement between Waste Management, Inc. and the town of Granby, the town receives $7.50-$10.00 a ton. Due to cuts in state funding, this increase in revenue for the town is appealing to local officials. However, the dangers posed by the expansion of the HSL will place those within the Granby community at risk. In the opinion of CCGG, the health of the environment and that of the future generations within the town of Granby must not be overlooked in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

Fed up with the unresponsiveness of local officials, members of CCGG are taking matters into their own hands. In the spring of 2002, CCGG circulated a petition urging the town to push Waste Management, Inc. to take precautionary measures in order to ensure the health and safety of the Granby community. In an even more aggressive step, several members of CCGG are running for positions in local government with the hope of reclaiming democracy in Granby.

For more information about the struggle of the Concerned Citizens Group for Granby against the trashing of democracy contact:
234 School Street
Granby, MA 01033
(413) 467-2888