The public works property on Hinson Street is no longer being considered for a proposed solid waste transfer station in Roanoke Rapids.

The decision to scrub that property, which many people in Lincoln Heights and South Rosemary objected to, came following a motion by Councilman Carl Ferebee at tonight’s work session. His motion included four other properties which ranked low on the list of acceptable sites in an analysis by the engineering firm ms consultants.

The top four sites, William Dreitzler, North Carolina operations and technical manager for the company, said are:

One on Highway 158 by the old airport property near the old Harley-Davidson shop.

One on Highway 158 off Deep Creek Road which is the old city landfill site.

Two on Becker Drive near Interstate 95 near the industrial park in Weldon.

News the Hinson Street property was no longer a consideration for the proposed transfer station pleased members of the Lincoln Heights community and those from surrounding areas.

“It’s been a very long and difficult road to get to this point,” said Lincoln Heights community activist Florine Bell in a prepared statement. “Nevertheless, we are more than pleased with the outcome of tonight’s meeting in that the Hinson Street and Branch Avenue location appears for the moment to be low priority for the consideration of the city’s proposed waste transfer station.”

With the decision, Bell said priority should now be given to favorable community development in what she described as, “This excluded area of Roanoke Rapids.”

Daisy Smith said the decision was not only good for Lincoln Heights, but the Belmont community where she lives. “We don’t need toxic waste to kill our babies and cancer to come in here.”

Gwendolyn Smith, who lives in Lincoln Heights, said she was relieved. “Because we can breathe. We can come out and breathe the fresh air.”

Dreitzler said one of the main problems with the Hinson Street site was that the land was flat and soil would have to be brought in to raise it. “Topographic wise, it rates poorly.”

Its closeness to what he described as a community of culture was also a factor. “There were negatives for engineering, environment and culture.”

Dreitzler said 13 sites were reviewed and there are still some six or eight on his desk that may be reviewed.

A public meeting is tentatively planned for December 15 to discuss the top four sites. A location has not been chosen for the meeting, tentatively scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.