Staten Island · Morning

Gas wells, groundwater checks and treatment systems remain part of the former landfill’s daily care.

Sanitation crews continue managing the closed Fresh Kills landfill as the surrounding park takes shape. The site has more than 572 gas-collection wells and 238 wells for monitoring groundwater.

Crews mow the grassy mounds each fall so wellheads remain visible for monthly checks. Treatment of liquid draining through the buried waste also continues.

Freshkills Park is opening in phases while that engineering work carries on. The current maintenance picture explains how a green landscape can still require extensive systems below the surface.

A drivers’ union supports the idea, while a rider advocate questions the location and the MTA defends current service.

Staten Island officials want the MTA to examine a fourth bus-storage and maintenance facility on the grounds of Freshkills Park. Borough President Vito Fossella led the November 2 call to explore the site.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 supports the proposal. Express-bus rider advocate Filippa Grisafi agrees that another depot is needed but questions whether the former landfill is a suitable location.

The discussion follows the closure of the temporary Meredith Avenue depot in January 2025. The MTA says that change has not hurt service and that Staten Island buses have become more frequent and reliable.