The toxic waste is already here.

The landfill outside Roachdale is operated by Heritage Environmental Services and accepted and dumped three truckloads, approximately 20 tons each, of contaminated soil just hours before the meeting they held Wednesday to address the public concerns of Putnam County residents.

Heritage Environmental attempted to alleviate concerns at a public meeting at the Russellville Community Center, explaining the toxin-contaminated soil they agreed to receive was butyl acetate, a chemical compound often found in paint. And while the soil also contains vinyl chloride, it is well below the limit of what the facility can handle. In fact, the facility can handle up to 6 parts per million and the soil has only been tested to have .033 parts per million.

This information, however, did not appease the concerned and vocal crowd who demanded to see the paperwork, the test results, which were not publicly available last night or at the time of this article.

Community members each stood up, sharing their concerns and asking their questions. But the answer to one question, about an hour into the meeting, caused an outcry of angry boos from the audience. It was asked if the contaminated soil was already delivered and received, to which the answer was yes. Three truckloads, for a total of 60 tons were delivered, accepted, and dumped prior to the meeting.

Heritage Environmental tried to explain the soil they received and will continue to receive (an estimated 100 truckloads at an average of 20 tons of contaminated soil is expected) is no different than the materials they have routinely been handling since they officially opened in 1981.

Whether or not the company has been handling similar toxins over the last 40+ years did not soothe the crowd, as many of them wondered why the meeting was held if the company was going to accept the waste regardless of public concern.

The company reiterated that all of the contaminant levels are well below the limits that they're allowed to accept at the landfill and the landfill is designed specifically for toxins, such as these.