SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — Despite widespread opposition, the Seneca Falls Town Board approved granting Seneca Meadows Landfill a town operating permit on Tuesday night.

The decision comes as the community awaits a verdict from New York State regarding the landfill’s future. The landfill has been operating without a local permit for over a year.

Seneca Meadows was initially slated to close this year. However, the landfill’s owners have proposed an expansion plan that would allow operations to continue until 2040. This proposal has faced opposition from several groups advocating for the landfill’s closure this year.

The landfill’s expansion has drawn opposition from municipalities, business owners, and advocates citing concerns about pollution, methane emissions, contamination of waterways, and the long-term economic impact on the region.

The board voted 3-2 in favor of the local operating permit (Town Supervisor Frank Schmitter and Councilmember Jackson Puylara opposed) and 4-1 in favor of the HCA (Councilmember Jackson Puylara opposed).

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