Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

By MIKE RUBINKAM; Times Leader Staff Writer
Saturday, April 13, 1996     Page: 1A

CONYNGHAM TWP. — It was only supposed to be an informational meeting, a
way to tell concerned residents about the pros and cons of a proposed nuclear
waste dump.
   
But they were in no mood for information. They wanted action.
    Thus, the three-member Board of Supervisors voted to reject a proposal by
Chem-Nuclear Systems Inc. to build a 50-acre disposal site for solid low-level
radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, hospitals and universities in
four states.
   
About 180 people filled the Polish Falcons Nest on Main Street in Mocanaqua
to protest a resolution passed by the supervisors 10 days ago that volunteered
the township as a potential host for the dump.
   
Daryl Pawlush, chairman of the board of supervisors, tried to convince
residents of the possible economic benefits of a nuclear waste dump. He
explained the incentives offered by Chem-Nuclear, which included the promise
of 70 new jobs and payment of municipal and school district property taxes for
all residents living within two miles of the dump.
   
Pawlush used a Geiger counter to measure the radioactivity of common
household items, thus demonstrating that people are exposed to radiation every
day.
   
And he stressed that the resolution the supervisors passed was merely a
non-binding request for more information.
   
But the chairman quickly was drowned out by a chorus of angry voices and
catcalls.
   
“We’re not a bunch of damned fools, let’s get to the issue,” yelled one
man.
   
“You’re an idiot,” yelled a woman.
   
“You’re harming the public,” said another.
   
Susan Hanvey of Conyngham Township stood up and said, “I would like to make
a motion to ban nuclear waste from our township now and forever.”
   
A nearly unanimous show of hands in support of Hanvey prompted the
supervisors to make a motion rescinding the action they had taken last week.
   
Though the move was obviously favored by those in attendance, township
Solicitor John Asivkewicz was not sure the motion was proper because the
meeting had been advertised as informational.
   
“I just feel more comfortable doing it at the regular May meeting,” he
said. “If it wasn’t advertised properly then it wasn’t a proper motion.”
   
Supervisor Jamie Cerreta said he had not anticipated voting on the
proposal, but “it just seemed best to take action then and there.
   
“We would have never signed on without at least 66 percent of the people
agreeing to it,” he said. “We fully intended to have some kind of referendum.”
   
Pawlush and Supervisor Moderno Rossi declined comment after the meeting.
   
Harrisburg-based Chem-Nuclear, the largest U.S. trash hauler, recently
launched a statewide marketing campaign — aimed in part at more than
two-thirds of Luzerne County’s 76 municipalities — hoping to find a host for
its radioactive dump.
   
So far, it has found no takers. But if no municipality volunteers in two
years, Chem-Nuclear and the state will choose an acceptable site and exercise
the right of eminent domain.
   
The company plans to build the dump on a 500-acre site that meets
technical, safety and environmental standards established by state, federal
and municipal governments. The company will operate the dump for 30 years and
accept waste from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia.
   
The dump will accept protective clothing, paper, glassware and filters that
have been exposed to radiation.
   
TIMES LEADER/LEWIS GEYER
   
Daryl Pawlush, chairman of the Conyngham Township Board of Supervisors,
tries to make himself heard Friday night at a public meeting to discuss a
proposed low-level nuclear waste dump. After vehement opposition by about 180
residents who attended the meeting, the supervisors rejected the proposal.