NORTHAMPTON - During its March 4 meeting, the Northampton City Council engaged in the most significant discussion to date regarding the proposed expansion of the city's landfill. Councilors were debating "A Resolution Of The City Council On The Direction Of Solid Waste Management Policy in Northampton." The resolution seemed to be a symbolic gesture of support for the Board of Public Works and its recently formed Solid Waste Action Committee in their effort to develop a comprehensive waste management plan for the city.

However, imbedded in the text was one sentence that proved controversial. It read, in part, "The City Council advises the Board of Public Works to suspend further action on landfill expansion ..."

The most intense deliberation focused on use of the word "suspend." The verbal exchange between councilors reflects a momentous turning point for the city. Explaining that he wanted to end the frustrating landfill debate, Ward 2 Councilor Paul Spector made a motion to amend by replacing "suspend" with "terminate." Spector said, "I feel comfortable with that word terminate."

Ward 4 Councilor Pamela Schwartz responded with an even stronger statement: "I agree. I agree. Let's just say it like it is. We're done with the landfill expansion conversation. We're moving on. I am fine with it."

The "terminate" amendment passed with seven yes votes.

In sports jargon, the game was over. By changing that one word, the council had quickly and unexpectedly put an end to the divisive landfill question. The council seemed to be acknowledging the will of the voters as expressed in the non-binding referendum last Nov. 3.

Landfill opponents who happened to be in the Council Chambers were in disbelief. Not quite trusting what she had just witnessed, Mimi Odgers, the dedicated leader of Water Not Waste, the group that collected signatures to put the landfill question on the ballot, wondered whether this vote was the real deal. "The council's position against the landfill expansion seems too good to be true," a skeptical Odgers said. "And you know how the old saying ends."

Well, perhaps the March 16 memo sent to city councilors by Director of Planning and Development Wayne Feiden will not surprise the Water Not Waste folks. He provided councilors with documents, also posted on the city's Web site, indicating the city has changed its landfill strategy.

One of those documents is a memo that Carolyn Misch, the senior planner and permits manager, sent Planning Board members regarding next week's public hearing on a citizens' petition to prohibit all landfills in a Water Supply Protection District.

Summarizing a legal opinion from "zoning expert" Mark Bobrowski, she states, "The landfill, because of its grandfathering, would not require a Special Permit."

Apparently the game is not over; the rules have just been changed.

Councilors who found the resolve to follow the lead of voters and "terminate" the landfill expansion process face another difficult challenge. Will they continue to actively voice opposition to the landfill expansion now that the council's role has changed? Despite the council's expressed desire to terminate it, the landfill expansion debate refuses to exit gracefully.

Indeed, the Misch memo raises additional questions: What is the new proposed process for deciding the landfill expansion? Why did city leaders wait so long to determine that the previous process was incorrect? Was the problematic "gag order" also a mistake? How much money has been spent unnecessarily on retaining attorney Michael Pill as a special counsel?

"What has happened to Best Practices?" asks Odgers. "How can there be meaningful public engagement if the city does not accurately explain the decision-making process and if the rules continue to change?"

Echoing the frustration of others in the Water Not Waste network, she states, "I am very disheartened and frustrated by this recent development. It is difficult to continue to trust local government. I hope that the councilors who spoke out so strongly against the expansion at the last meeting will now provide active leadership in representing the will of the voters."

Needless to say, the public and private deliberations over the landfill expansion are likely to continue for some time. Hopefully, the important question of how the city will manage its solid waste without a landfill will at long last take center stage.

Citizens concerned about the present and future of trash disposal can get involved now and make a difference. Contact Water Not Waste at www.waternotwaste.org; contact the Department of Public Works' newly formed Solid Waste Action Committee via the city's Web site, www.northamptonma.gov; and not least of all, contact your city councilors. Let's make local government work!

Michael Bardsley of Northampton writes a monthly column on city affairs.