HAMILTON TOWNSHIP -Don't waste the space.

That's the sentiment of some Hamilton Township residents who say they don't want to see a proposed solid waste transfer and recycling facility built on land near Duke Energy and Dow Chemical plants.

The 82 people who had signed the petition as of Tuesday morning contend the strip of land is prime industrial property that could be better used. They forwarded a copy of their petition to the Lawrence County Commission Tuesday during the board's informal work session.

"The field holds tremendous potential for future development,"

resident Bill Goff said. "It's our feeling that while Lawrence County needs a transfer station, there are better places it could be situated."

Some of residents contend that the project would hinder any plans for Duke Energy to expand its facility and create dozens of high-wage jobs.

A spokesperson for Duke Energy said the company had no comment about the Rumpke plans or any future expansion at this time.

Lawrence County Commissioners told the residents that the transfer and recycling station is not their project. While they have gone on record as supporting the location of a solid waste transfer station and recycling center somewhere in the county, this is a private venture. Rumpke Recycling would own and operate the facility and has sought some state funding for it. Dow Chemical owns the land in question.

"Lawrence County doesn't own the property," Commissioner Jason Stephens said.

"We can't tell Rumpke 'you can't go in there."

A public hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. April 28

at the Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department. Rumpke representatives are expected to attend that meeting.