The hearing was scheduled for the Senior Center, which was too small.  Six o'clock rally was attended by 300+ people with large inflatable rat, signs, masks and chanting.

Hearing Officer (Nancy Kaplan) decided we would open the hearing, then move to a larger location.  (Left sign on door if anyone came late.)

Before the hearing opened there was some rumbling from the Board of Health because  the party forms we used said "Town of Southbridge" at the top and they argued that that purported to be a town form.  (not intentional, obviously)  Nick Tortis, Board of health agent had used this as an excuse to deny party forms earlier in the day.  Mike Scott, BOH attorney had straightened Nick T. out earlier, and before the meeting acknowledged that it wasn't a BOH doc., but sufficient for hearing.

Hearing officer (HO) opened the meeting, then called break to move (equipment took a full hour to set up)  200+ people went to new location.

Ten representatives of multiple 10-citizen groups were acknowledged.  Looks like 325-50 people registered as part of 10-citizen groups.   (Kirstie Pecci has 124, Lynne Simonds has 110 low-income, minority people - many of other 8 represetatives have more than one group.)

Re-opened meeting, read notice, and introduced parties.  HO ready to go forward with acceptance of evidence and previous testimony.

Parties all raised issue of making witnesses for Casella testify again.  John Gatti and John Pulawski especially effective.  HO said she would take issue under advisement and decide after the break.

Nick A. brought up waiver of 45 day requirement for BOH decision to be made.  Casella waived it last time.  All parties and towns waived, except John P. who did not (tactic to reserve our right in case Casella never sees reason).  Atty Kirsch for Casella did not waive.  Asked when he would talk to his client and decide, he said he didn't know.

Larry B. asked if health expert would be at all hearings.  Mike S. said it was up to the BOH when the experts would be present to advise them.

Went through Casella documents.  Public records let in.  Will made good point about legibility.  Rick made great catch - asked for hold on every document generated by Casella with foundation in testimony.  HO granted hold on them all.

Break.  HO decided after the break to allow pre-filed testimony, (transcript) in, but Casella witnesses have to speak to their role and any testimony that is foundation for exhibits.

Next Thurs. Participants will get first chance to testify.  (Will have other nights, too.)

This doesn’t summarize everything Kirsch said right now.  Because traffic is this week's topic, this is what he said about traffic - Mr. Nagi, traffic guy, will then testify and be crossed.

Kirsch gave summary after that of all witness testimony.  Said about Nagi - looked at roadway and adequacy of traffic flow.  Went back to a traffic study that Southbridge did in 1998.  Then looked at corner of Pleasant St. and Rt. 131, and Rt. 20 and Rt. 169.  Nagi determined that traffic will remain safe and not constitute a problem to health, safety and the environment.  Kirsch explained Casella has permit to build new processing facility.  Said once the facility is running, level of traffic would be the same, even if this request is granted.  (Obviously talking around the issue).  Said may be less traffic because it compacts better.  Once processing facility running, permits will allow truck trips and there will be no change.