To the editor:

A recent Times Record article announcing Brunswick Landing’s plan to process sewer sludge as an energy source made me think of the mistake Biddeford made in 1987 when they authorized the Maine Energy Recovery Company to operate a waste incinerating plant in the downtown area.

At the time, I’m sure MERC was able to present overwhelming scientific studies to convince residents that MERC wouldn’t put off adverse odors. Unfortunately for Biddeford residents, they believed the studies and for the next 25 years they had to deal with the nauseating odors coming from MERC and just this year were able to shut it down.

Common sense should have prevailed because everyone knows garbage smells bad. Common sense should also prevail at Brunswick Landing because everyone knows sewer sludge smells bad.

I’m sure we’ll be presented with studies that state the contrary, that re-newable energy is good for the environment as well as the organic fertilizer byproducts produced are good as well. South Korea uses re-processed human waste sludge to fertilize fields and the smell will make your stomach turn.

The plant at Brunswick Landing will do the same. Hopefully, the Town Council will take a long hard look at this project, put it to a vote and Brunswick residents won’t get duped.

Robert Cejka

Brunswick