[Amended 11-20-2017]
10-301.1.
Statement of Intent. Under Massachusetts Constitution Article 97, all residents of Massachusetts have “a right to clean air and water, freedom from unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic qualities of their environment ...” In pursuance of that right over many years the voters of Southbridge have indicated their disapproval of land filling in our community as follows:
On June 13, 2017, the citizens of Southbridge voted overwhelmingly, 1,303 to 852, in opposition to Question 1, stating clear opposition to negotiating any expansion of the town-owned landfill; and
On June 4, 1999, the citizens of Southbridge by a vote of 1,952 to 715 on Question 2 strongly opposed the concept of contracting management of the landfill to an outside corporate interest, but a subsequent council disregarded that vote and approved such a contract in 2007.
10-301.2.
Statement of Bylaw. No town official, councilor or other body shall authorize the use of town-owned land for purposes of establishing a landfill beyond that which is already authorized and available for such purposes within the town of Southbridge unless approved by a majority of Southbridge voters at a ballot vote.
The town of Southbridge strongly encourages any party seeking any future landfill on privately owned land seek approval by a majority of Southbridge voters at a ballot vote.