ABC Disposal Inc. is aiming to build a new 89,000 square foot waste removal and recycling facility at 50 Cranberry Highway in Rochester in place of its existing 30,000 square foot facility. Now, the town’s Planning Board and abutters are weighing in on the project.

On Tuesday, the board opened the public hearing to discuss the expansion of the facility located near the Rochester Environmental Park on Route 28.

Greg Wirsen, Principal of Green Seal Environmental, Inc., is working with ABC Disposal on the project. In addition to expanding the facility, Wirsen said developers are also aiming to install 36,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof to cut down on electricity costs.

Of the facility, Wirsen said, “It would run entirely through solar power.”

Once the 89,000 square foot facility is constructed, the existing building will be torn down, which would allow normal operations to proceed during the construction period, Wirsen said. “We want phased development,” Wirsen said. “That way operations can commence and not lose customer base.”

The project, however, still has a long way to go. The Planning Board is waiting for engineering studies to be conducted on the property. The board is aiming to schedule a site visit sometime next month once the snow melts.

“Right now, the questions are for the engineers,” said Planning Board Chair Arnie Johnson.

Resident Charles Clemishaw of County Road raised some concern with odors from the facility should the building be expanded.

In response, Wirsen said ABC Disposal had taken precaution against such potential problems. “There will be fast closing doors and two ventilation systems,” Wirsen said. “They will use the right environmental controls to control odors.”

The board agreed to continue the public hearing at its next meeting on March 12.

If approved by the Planning Board, the project would still have to secure permits from the town's Conservation Commission and the state's Department of Environmental Protection before construction can begin.