CARRBORO – The Orange County landfill is closing at the end of the month, and while Carrboro does not yet have a plan for what it will do with its solid waste, the town’s Board of Aldermen came together to agree on what they would not do: create a solid waste authority.

In early June, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen met, and most expressed a desire to create a disposal facility or transfer station, but not an authority. David Andrews, Carrboro’s town manager, explained that Carrboro would not be able to regulate and manage an authority like they could a town utility.

“An authority would have its own separate board,” Andrews said. “It would be a separate agency.”

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton says he feels creating an authority is a way for municipal officials to avoid taking a stand on how to clean up waste in the town.

“I have a problem with the notion of assuming that that’s going to be some sort of solution; that somehow, we won’t have to have any intestinal fortitude on the part of the elected officials if we create an authority,” Chilton said. “That’s not correct.”

Like the Orange Water and Sewage Authority (OWASA), any authority approved by Carrboro and others would still have some of the surrounding town’s input in its decision making, according to Andrews.

“Presumably, if it worked like OWASA, each of the municipalities could appoint a certain number of members to the authority’s board,” Andrews says.

As far as Mayor Chilton sees it, the local governments have not had a good record when it comes to managing and disposing of solid waste.

“As long as the local governments have the zoning power, then it’s really going to be up to the local governments to go along with or trip up any solid waste management proposal that comes along,” Chilton says. “And so far, for the last 22 years that I’ve been paying attention, every time it’s been trip it up.”

Mayor Chilton adds that if the town of Carrboro ultimately wanted a solid waste authority, he would have no problem with the creation of one.

Related Stories
‹
Carrboro: Rail to Trail Feasibility, Summer Meals for Kids, Summer Weather
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, July 17, discussing town news and events. She discussed a new feasibility study, which includes several opportunities for public feedback. She also highlighted a CHCCS program providing meals for kids over the summer, looked at some other summer events, and more.
Carrboro: Revisiting Recent Events, Look Ahead to Summer, Chantal One Year Later
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, July 10, discussing town news and events. She discussed the recent string of town-planned events, which included their program of Juneteenth events, Pride Month events, and their annual 4th of July celebration. She also looked ahead to the town's schedule through the traditional down time of late July and early August. She also discussed the lasting impacts of Tropical Storm Chantal, and more.
Neighborhoods Flooded by Chantal Last Year Are Recovering, But Still Feel Storm's Impacts
During Tropical Storm Chantal’s floods, 448 homes in Orange County were impacted – with more than half suffering major damage or being destroyed – and around 190 residents displaced.
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
Chapel Hill Man Wins $200,000 Lottery Prize on Scratch-Off Ticket
Kevin Valdez of Chapel Hill won the top prize of $200,000 on a $5 scratch-off ticket, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a release Wednesday. Valdez bought his lucky ticket for the Cash King game from the Short Stop convenience store on West Main Street in Carrboro. He arrived at lottery headquarters in Raleigh […]
Carrboro: Council Update, July 4, Jamezetta Bedford
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, June 26, discussing town news and events. She discussed the town council's meeting from June 16, previewed July 4th festivities in the town, updated Tropical Storm Chantal Recovery as the one year anniversary nears, discussed Jamezetta Bedford's legacy, and more.
On Air Today: Pride in Carrboro, with El Centro Hispano!
Carrboro is celebrating Pride with a dance party this Friday, June 26, in conjunction with El Centro Hispano.
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Local Government Meetings: June 15-19, 2026
This week in local government: a proposed AI moratorium in Durham and a board appointment (maybe) in Chatham County.
›