Question of the Day: Should Brookhaven Close its Town Landfill?

On Sunday, that an organized movement consisting of more than 25 community groups has come out in favor of closing the Town of Brookhaven landfill in Yaphank sooner than 17 years from now, when it will reach its capacity.

However, town officials say Brookhaven is financially dependent on the landfill, which brings in between $40 and $45 million per year in revenue, or approximately 44 percent of the town's general fund expenditures. Without that revenue, the town says, general fund taxes could increase more than 200 percent.

But the Brookhaven Community Coalition isn't buying that argument, and is exploring ways the town can make up for lost revenue if it were to close the landfill.

"We are not asking for the impossible and we are not asking for it to close tomorrow," said Adrienne Esposito, a member of the coalition and executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "We are simply asking for the town to begin the process of preparing to stop using Yaphank as a dumpsite and move towards a transition which allows homeowners to once again enjoy their backyards, open their windows and restore property values."

Where do you stand on the landfill issue? What do you think could be done to help the town make up for lost revenue if it were to close the landfill? Tell us in the comments.