Earlier today, the Rockville Mayor and Council unanimously supported and sent a letter to Montgomery County leaders expressing serious concerns about proposed changes to the County's solid waste management system and calling for a comprehensive plan before major decisions are made.

I strongly support the letter's central message: Montgomery County should not make irreversible changes to its solid waste system without first evaluating the environmental, financial, transportation, operational, and neighborhood impacts.

These concerns are particularly important for residents of King Farm, The Reed, the Farmstead District, and surrounding communities near the Shady Grove Transfer Station, as well as neighboring Gaithersburg and Washington Grove.

Depending on the approach ultimately selected, changes could result in substantially increased truck traffic, noise, odors, and tractor-trailer operations beginning as early as 3 am. These potential impacts deserve serious attention before the County commits to a long-term strategy.

I support the County's efforts to develop a more environmentally sustainable waste management system. However, any solution must also protect nearby neighborhoods, maintain reliable services, and responsibly manage costs for residents and municipalities.

I'm pleased that the entire Mayor and Council stands united on this issue, and I particularly appreciate Councilmember Barry Jackson, a former King Farm Citizens Assembly president, and Jeffrey Reznick, Montgomery Planning’s Shady Grove Sector Plan Implementation Advisory Committee Member, for their dedicated work bringing attention to the concerns of nearby neighborhoods.  

I also look forward to continued collaboration with Montgomery County, Gaithersburg, Washington Grove, and our residents to ensure these concerns are fully addressed.

Read the Mayor and Council's October 12, 2026 letter to Montgomery County leaders.