09/03/1958
25a
REGUlAR MONTHLY I-n;ETIi~G BOAIiD OF HMLTH
HELD IN OffICE OF' BOARD
SEPI'EMElliR 3, 1958
,
Present: Dr. James H. Hall, Jr., Chairr!lan; r-layor Jarr.es E. L. Wade, Dr. James H.
Smith, Dr. J. C. Wessell, Mr. H. d. Roland and Dr. J. C. Knox.
On motion by Mr. Roland, seconded by Dr. Wessell, the minutes of the last meeting
were approved wHhout being read. Canied.
Mr. Holand was asked what efforts were beinc; made to carry out the polio regulations
regarding children entering school. He stated thct all those that had not received
the polio shots were instructed to take the first Shot immediately. He also stated
that the first grades are being handled in a nice way with full cooperation from the
schools. The records arc entered on health department sheets <end become permanent
records in the schools.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Don Ashton, Entomologist; !1r. W. S. Hoffman and Mr.
Sidney Usry, Engineers from the State Board of Health, who acted in an advisory
capacity regarding garbage and refuse disposal syst,ems.
Chairman Hall stated that the County had closed their dump until they can operate
in accordance with the health department rules and regulations; that a majority of
the Commissioners had concurred with the action taken in the corr~ittee meeting and
that the Commissioners at their Monday (Sept. 8th) meeting would make, it official.
Chairrnan Hall stated that Mr. Merritt had the equipment to work with; the County
will furnish him the area and some prison labor and that the CO\l.11.ty would be back
in operation just as soon as the pipe could be put in.
.
Chairman Hall reported that he had inspected the City landfill; that it had a terrific
odor and, in his opinion, was not a satisfactory operation. It looked as if Ghey had
run OUG of cover n~terial and are USL~g the ashes from trees that have been burned for
cover, and the fluid. coming out of the ground from the trash causes a stench. In view
of the situation it seems well to bring it up for discussion. It was brought out in
the discussion that there is a large se^er running under part of the landfill and
empties two hundred yards beyond the landfill. Mr. Lassiter stated that there had been
sufricient cover in the past, but as settling goes on you get SOIDe uneven places "~ere
fluid gathers.
A written report of the State representatives who inspected the City trash dump is
h"reby made a part of these minutes:
"At the request of Mr. L. I. Lassiter, Puulic Health .wngineer, Consolidated Board of
Health, Wilmington, North CarolLna, the sanitary landfill operated by the City of
Wilmington was inspected on this date (September 3, 1958) with Mr. Lassiter and Mr.
Hoffman.
At the time of this inspection, the following conditions existed that need correcting,
in order to meet the requirements of a sanitary landfill:
1. The area that present operations are being conducted is so confined against the
creek that proper compaction of material cannor be obtained. The garbage is being
dumped in such a manner that there are six to eight fest of garbage being piled ahead
of equipment befo~e compaction. This operation has resulted in an alnlost vertical wall
of garbage that makes proper cov€ring of slope impossible so as to completely seal the
slope of the fill.
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2. The area of present operations has not had sufficient cover material to seal the
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Ghe compacted garbage. As a result, the process of decomposition that is
taking place is causing st am vapor and odors to escapt Ghroughout the
surface of the landfill. The garbage should be compacted and covered with a
minimum of two feet of compacted cover material. "...
3. The surface of the finisr,ed landfill has rrany low areas tllat are holding ......
water and breeding mosquitoes in large numbers. At the time of this inspection,
adult mosquitoes were found in the grass over the entire landfill, with landing
counts of 10 to 15 per minute. In addition, large numbers of larva and pupa
were found in the standing water.
4. At the present site of the sanitary landfill, the area suitable for proper
operation is becoming limited. The cover material for use on the landfill is
having to be hauled to the site of operation, and nece3sarily increases the cost
of operation.
P~COi~1ENDATIONS:
The dumping operations be planned so that the tractor can spread and compact
the garbage and refuse in thin layers, assuring a more complete compaction of
all material.
The surface of the finished landfill should be graded so as to eliminate the
low areas that are holding water and b~eeding mosquitoes.
.The City of Wilmington should be looking for another suitable site for a sanitary
landfill. This location is adequate for the present, but the amount of garbage
and refuse from a city the size of WilminC"ton could easily fill the available
area in a short time.
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It is recommended that the operaGing procedure continue to conform ~~th that
outlined in the North Carolina state Board of Health publication, Refuse
Disposal fl:i: Sanitary Landfill, Special Bulletin No. 479. Copies are available
at tlie local Health Department.
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The North Carolina state Board of Health will be glad to furnish cons<lltation
services through the New Hanover CoUnty and City of Wilmington Consolidated Board
of Health.
Periodic inspections should be made of the landfill by a representative of the local
Health Department. Recol11.'Ilendations of sanitary significance made by him should be
followed."
Notion to adjourn was made by Mayor Wade, secondp-d by Dr. Wessell. Carried.
Approved '() (_~ / 1958
(;.;~ /b7/<--
Clerk
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