Franklin County Reaches Agreement with New Owners of C&D Landfill

An agreement between Franklin County and Metro Green, LLC  to reopen the county C&D landfill is now final. Metro Green Agreement.Final

At their regular meeting earlier this month, County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges signed the County’s portion of the agreement.

At their work session Tuesday evening, the Franklin County Commission heard from County Manager Beth Thomas, who said Metro Green LLC has now also signed their copy of the agreement.

“I did get that paperwork signed. It was executed by Metro Green. It has been executed by the County Chairman. I want to let you know I am holding a check for $94,138.96 that was owed to us. The attorney’s firm is keeping the check in escrow until they get the executed copy back and until our appeal is dropped and until we issue the business license. Once we have that, that $94-thousand dollars will be released to us,” Thomas said.

Under the terms of the agreement with Metro Green LLC, the Gwinnett-based Company agreed to pay the County an upfront sum of $94,138.96 in back tipping fees.

Additionally, the Company agrees to a periodic review by a Community Advisory Board, which will be formed by the County.

That board will consist of five residents of Franklin County. Metro Green has agreed to provide 24-hour contact information for an individual responsible for day-to-day operations at the Landfill to the advisory board.

They also agreed to provide a company representative to attend and participate in periodic meetings of the advisory board at least quarterly beginning January 1, 2021, through January 1, 2023, and have also agreed to conduct at least one public meeting with interested members of the community prior to the opening of the landfill in January.

When it was learned earlier this year that the EPD had granted Metro Green an operating permit without the County’s knowledge or permission, Franklin County sued and an injunction was filed to stop the re-opening of the landfill.

A judge then ordered both sides to enter negotiations.

The landfill is located just down the road from the Georgia Renewable Power Biomass plant and citizens living nearby who are already dealing with issues coming from the GRP facility worried the landfill owners would begin sending materials from the landfill to GRP.

During negotiations and as part of the agreement with the County, Metro Green will not send any materials to GRP, nor will they themselves be involved in the chipping of any materials, even though their EPD permit allows them to do so.

Additionally, they have agreed not to build any back roads between the C&D landfill and the GRP plant nor are they allowed to purchase any surrounding properties with a view towards expanding their operation.

Metro Green plans to re-open the C&D landfill on January 1, 2021, and will operate Monday through Friday from 7a to 6p and on Saturdays from 7a to 1p.