DEM warns town landfill closure incomplete; revetment repairs required
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Summary
Town staff said a Rhode Island DEM inspection identified unfinished elements in the town landfill closure and that the town must submit an action plan, including revetment repairs; officials warned costs will be substantial and likely borne by the town.
Town Manager Amy told the council on Oct. 20 that a June DEM inspection concluded the landfill closure work done in 2017–2019 is not fully complete and identified remaining tasks, including repairs to the coastal revetment that protects the closed landfill.
Amy said the town has been working with the town engineer (Jim Jeremiah) and public works staff to produce an action plan for DEM and that the town must submit that plan by November. The revetment work has suffered erosion and will require additional repair; Amy said the town always expected further work and that the repair costs will be substantial.
When asked whether outside funding was available, staff noted the town previously considered a Community Development Block Grant for revetment work but declined because of federal requirements. Amy said the town does not yet have a dollar estimate but expects substantial expense — likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The council did not take immediate action but asked staff to finalize the action plan and to report back with schedule and cost estimates.