Preserve Plainfield obtained emails through Right To Know request revealing WM representatives pushing to meet with Plainfield Township supervisors in secret to conceal their discussions from the public. They specifically asked to meet with supervisors in groups of 2 or less to avoid a quorum so they would not be subject to the Sunshine Act - a law that exists to preserve transparency in government for the public. This video reviews the emails and breaks down the implications.
TO BE CLEAR: We are not accusing Waste Management or Plainfield Township Supervisors of violating the Sunshine Act. We are observing the efforts that were made skirt the provisions of the Sunshine Act. While they are technically complying with the Sunshine Act, they are defying the purpose of the law to ensure transparency to the public.
A letter and supporting documents were received by the Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors from Saul Ewing, LLP, regarding Grand Central Sanitary Landfill and Slate Spring Farms, LLC. The letter requested the Board consider initiating the required review process for the submitted amendments at the September 26, 2024 meeting. The proposal is for land to be rezoned from Farm and Forest to Solid waste Processing and Disposal.
In July of 2020 an application by WM/GCSL and Slate Springs Farms LLC to rezone the same land area was denied by the Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors voted to send the application to the Plainfield Township Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
After months of meetings featuring presentations, deliberation, and public comment, the Planning Commission recommended NOT approving the WM/GCSL proposal to rezone land for a new Solid Waste Processing and Disposal District. by a 4-1 vote. The board of supervisors has not taken action based on the planning commission's recommendation yet, but they have taken some steps recently; bringing into question whether the board intends to respect the planning commission's decision, or circumvent them and find a path to approve the expansion anyway.
After vocal and nearly unanimous opposition from the community members in attendance, Plainfield Township supervisors Jonathan Itterly, Ken Fairchild, Ken Field, and Nolan Kemmerer voted to hire a third party consultant called Strategic Solutions to re-hash the work of the planning commission. Only Glenn Borger voted in opposition. These 4 members voted to enter into an agreement with Strategic Solutions with no cap on the cost to taxpayers, and with no defined scope in writing. In his remarks, Jonathan Itterly said "to me the scope is clear, the same as the planning commission."
Ken Field made the motion to accept Strategic Solutions' proposal in spite of Township Solicitor David Backenstoe obtaining two competing proposals for consideration that the board had received just days earlier with no opportunity for review. When asked who recommended the firm the response was Keystone Consulting Engineers.
Strategic Solutions LLC is projected to submit the review of the rezoning request to Plainfield Township by July 10, 2025. After receipt of the review, the Board stated they intend to hold a public meeting.
WM/GCSL Application to Request the Rezoning of 212 acres of Farm and Forest Land owned by Slate Springs Farms LLC, Gary Perin Manager, to create a 2nd Solid Waste Processing and Disposal District was submitted in September of 2024.
At the July 9, 2025 Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors meeting, a motion was made by Ken Field and seconded by Nolan Kemmerer to move forward with advertising for the public meetings to consider the adoption of three (3) Ordinances proposed by WM/GCSL. The motion passed with Ken Field, Nolan Kemmerer and Jonathan Itterly voting yes. Glenn Borger and Ken Fairchild voted no.
Township Solicitor David Backenstoe was directed to prepare the advertising with a projected hearing date of August 27th, 2025. As per the PA Municipalities Planning Code and Plainfield Township Code regulations, residents near the proposed area to be rezoned will be notified by mail and the property will be posted prior to the public hearing.
The proposed Ordinances are currently being reviewed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and will also be on the agenda of the Plainfield Township Planning Commission in August. Strategic Solutions a third party planning agency was hired by the Board in April of 2025 to conduct a review of the submission. The report was due back on July 10th, 2025. The projected timeline leaves little time for the Board and public to properly review the reports prior to the public hearing.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) and other concerned parties voiced significant opposition to Plainfield Township's proposed rezoning plan for a landfill. The commission's primary concern was the change from conditional to "by-right" use for landfills, which they believe is a "counterindication to the health, safety and welfare of the community." The LVPC also recommended that the township reevaluate the plan to better preserve farmlands, consider the historical and regional impacts of the landfill, and conduct an independent environmental study of the proposed expansion.
On May 20th, 2025, the voters of Plainfield Township roundly rejected landfill expansion by supporting Jane Mellert by an overwhelming margin over incumbent supervisors Jonathan Itterly and Ken Fairchild in the Republican primary. Joe Colosi, also opposed to landfill expansion, led a successful write in campaign in the Democratic primary. Both candidates proceed to the 2025 General Election to fill 2 and 6 year seats currently expiring for Itterly and Fairchild.
This sends a strong signal that the community is opposed to expansion, and the board should take note.
Indeed, in this article covering the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's review of the proposed expansion, Chairman Christopher Amato said "So Plainfield has borne the burden of our solid waste for a long time… long enough, long enough... The voting public has spoken, and on many levels, this is just wrong."
It would be an understatement to say that the information in this letter is inaccurate and misleading. Jane Mellert has offered a full rebuttal setting the facts straight here, and Lehigh Valley Live has further reporting on the inaccuracy of this letter.
The proposed expansion area includes over 200 additional acres of farm and forest property that has been snatched up over time under a corporation called "Slate Spring Farms LLC", Managed by Gary Perin, with the possible intent to sell the property to Waste Management.
While they cash in on off dumping trash in our back yard, the resulting landfill acreage would be larger than the entire borough of Pen Argyl, and expand directly adjacent to where our kids play sports at the Green & White Youth Association Athletic Fields. Even with the current landfill, it often stinks at the fields during games and practices. Our kids deserve to learn and grow their love of sports without the stink of trash hanging over them.
As you can see from the map, GCSL also owns even more property even closer to the fields in that direction. How long until they come back again wanting to expand right up to the outfield fence of our fields?
We, the concerned residents of Plainfield Township and surrounding areas, are deeply opposed to Waste Management's (WM) proposal to expand their landfill. This expansion directly impacts the health and quality of life of our community. The persistent odor from the existing landfill is a significant nuisance, diminishing the ability of residents to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces. Moreover, there are serious concerns about potential health risks. Some studies indicate that living near landfill sites may be associated with increased risks of respiratory issues, certain cancers, and birth defects. The expansion may increase the potential for groundwater contamination due to liner failures, posing a potential severe threat to our community's well-being.
The expansion of the landfill puts at stake the very character of our township. Plainfield Township has long been defined by its rural nature, farmland, and forests. Approving this rezoning would contradict years of planning and the expressed wishes of residents to preserve this heritage. It also threatens to undermine property values and the economic development of our community.
An independent financial analysis indicates the $15.75+ million currently saved by Plainfield Township in a trust will insulate taxpayers from any impact of lost revenue through at least 2038. Over that time, we can focus on the future economic development of the area, much like what was done throughout the Slate Belt when the quarries closed during the early 20th century.
The Board of Supervisors must consider the long-term consequences of prioritizing financial gains over the health and environmental integrity of Plainfield Township.
We urge the Board of Supervisors to respect the Planning Commission's recommendation and reject Waste Management's rezoning request. Our community's health, quality of life, and the preservation of our rural character depend on it.
Sign our change.org petition to add your name to the list in opposition to Waste Management expansion in Plainfield Township.
Want to lend a hand in our efforts to preserve Plainfield? Fill out our contact form.
Take into consideration the quality of life and real estate value for your neighbor that lives near the area being considered for rezoning. Evaluate the Harms vs the Benefits. We have all heard the term “Do unto others as you would want them to do to you”
Research the possible health problems of living near a landfill, which we have listed on our Risks & Concerns page
Be aware that a new Solid Waste District would mean a truck crossing over Pen Argyl Road every minute at a new intersection.
Plainfield Township has hosted a dump/landfill for over 70 years. Know that the Township can thrive without a landfill.
Tell the current Plainfield Supervisors we had our fair share and don’t want the area rezoned. Board Members - Ken Field, Nolan Kemmerer, Jonathan Itterly, Ken Fairchild and Glenn Borger address - 6292 Sullivan Trail Nazareth, PA 18064
