Burying the hatchet by burying trash is the latest cost-effective effort by the town and county.
They began combined landfill operations on Monday.
"The county saves 'big bucks' by taking its trash to the town landfill," said South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel.
According to Daniel, the relationship will benefit both parties.
"It gives the county time to close the old landfill and set up their new landfill in the most economical way possible," he added.
The county's unlined landfill area was completely full, and the county was under increasing pressure from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to cease operations in the unlined facility and begin closure operations.
Recent legislative sessions of the Virginia General Assembly have focused on mandatory closing of all of Virginia's unlined landfills in the near term.
According to Daniel, South Boston's unlined landfill had substantial capacity for about 15 more years.
The General Assembly's actions meant that the town landfill would not be open long enough to reach that capacity.
"The town and its landfill engineering consultant determined that the town would most likely be required to cease operation and begin closure within the next four to five years," Daniel said.
Former County Administrator Dan Sleeper and Daniel discussed the situation in November 1999 and proposed the combination of county and town landfill operations.
"To simply use dirt to fill and close the town landfill to required specifications would cost a lot of money," Daniel added.
"In order to properly close an unlined landfill, the entire area must be built up to a certain height and sloped for proper storm water drainage.
"By receiving the increased county trash load, the town landfill will be able to reach its capacity in the estimated time left for operations and avoid the cost of importing dirt to properly fill the landfill," Daniel said.
The town made numerous improvements to access roads in order to allow the intensive landfill operations.
According to Daniel, the addition of the county refuse would increase the amount accepted by the town landfill from 50 to 200 tons of trash per day.
The joint operations allow the county to collect its solid waste tipping fees at the South Boston facility in order to fund its ongoing solid waste collection expenses.
In turn, the town receives required solid waste fill at no charge which will save substantial money that would otherwise be required to haul dirt to a closed facility.
The landfill is constantly monitored for chemical run-off. Water is tested before it enters the landfill and after it comes out of the site.
"Leachate," the name for the run-off common in landfills, is a primary concern for Daniel.
"In June, Joyce Engineering will complete plans for storm water retention facilities and a leachate collection system to be installed next year," Daniel said.
"The town expects to issue requests for proposals for this landfill work in late June or early July."
The purpose of the storm water collection and detention system is to keep storm water on the landfill property and off of adjacent properties and streams.
The leachate collection system will collect tainted groundwater in the landfill area for treatment at the town's wastewater treatment plant.
Finally, combining the county and town landfill operations gives the county more time to set up an expanded recycling system for aluminum, plastic and newspaper.
According to Daniel, joint operation of the county and town landfill is a great example of cooperation between the county and town benefiting both parties.
Its a good sign for possible future joint endeavors.

Write-in votes played a crucial role in Scottsburg and the Town of Halifax during the Tuesday election, adding H.C. Phillips Sr.'s name to Halifax Town Council, and electing a mayor and two councilmen in Scottsburg.
Only one write-in vote was cast in South Boston, with current councilman Ed Owens as the beneficiary.
Incumbent Mayor Glen Abernathy, whose name was on the ballot, handily won re-election with 513 votes.
South Boston Council welcomed two new members, T.C. "Chris" Elliott, who gathered 443 votes, and D. Coleman Speece, with 496 votes. Incumbent councilman Carroll Thackson easily won re-election with 533 votes.
With 316 votes, incumbent H. Radford Trent was retired from council.
All South Boston Council candidates were listed on the ballot.
In Scottsburg, with no candidate for mayor on the ballot, 17 write-in votes elected Ira Wilkerson as mayor of the town.
Others gathering write-in votes for mayor were: Robert Guthrie, six; Robert Elliott, one; James Stoner, one.
Three names were on the ballot for Scottsburg Town Council and all won handily. Winners were incumbents: Ronald K. Claiborne, 21 votes; Connie H. Glass, 25 votes; and Mattie R. Stoner, 23 votes.
With two additional council positions open, Scottsburg residents gave the victory nod to Carol Elliott, with nine write-in votes, and Robert Guthrie, with eight.
Six others Scottsburg residents received write-in votes. They were: Robert Elliott, seven votes; Ira Wilkerson, four votes; Shondra Epps, three votes; Russell Puckett, two votes; Bailey Crews, one vote; Gladys Clark, one vote.
Write-in votes were abundant in the Halifax Town Council race where only incumbent Harold Ray Younger Jr.'s name appeared on the ballot.
Two at-large seats were up for grabs in the Halifax race. Younger led the ticket with 79 votes. A former councilman, H.C. Phillips collected 37 write-in votes to claim the second at-large seat.
Other names appearing in the write-in category included: Carl Espy, 21 votes; Lynn Hammond, four votes; Sandy Mosby, three votes; Jim Burgess, two votes; Bill Granger, one vote; Woody Bane Jr., one vote; Betty Payne, one vote; Buddy Ward, one vote; James Tompkins, one vote; Harry Mapp, one vote; Gene Murray, one vote; John Murphy, one vote; Sam Thompson, two votes; Luke Phillips, two votes; Beth Robertson, one vote.
Virgilina
John Edward Youngk easily captured the mayor's slot in Virgilina with 42 votes. Two write-in ballots gave Ralph Murray and M.A. Smith one vote each for mayor.
All six council candidates listed on the ballot were elected with the following totals: Ralph Owen Murray Sr., 44 votes; R.E. "Ed" Chandler, Jr., 40 votes; R. Michael Glasscock, 40 votes; Thomas Keith Tuck Jr., 40 votes; Beverly S. Murray, 39 votes; Mary Helen W. Gravitt, 38 votes.
Virgilina Town Council write-in votes included: Myrtle Smith, David Kowell, Richard Seate, David Williams, Jimmy Long and Henry Caudle, with one vote each.

The 5,930 tobacco growers and quota holders suing the four major cigarette manufacturers have refiled the class action lawsuit.
The suit charges that the manufacturers (Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard) combined, contracted and conspired as a cartel to destroy the federal tobacco purchasing system in the United States and replace it with a system they control.
The tobacco program has governed how tobacco is grown and sold since 1933.
The suit alleges that the companies manipulated the quota system in such a way that resulted in artificial quota cuts for three straight years.
Since 1997, the flue-cured quota has been cut by 45.2 percent while burley has seen a cut of 64.3 percent.
It also charges that the companies agreed in advance to prices that would be bid for leaf on the warehouse floor and coordinate the bidding in such a way that 90 percent of the bids end in ties.
And finally the suit alleges the companies introduced its own system for tobacco purchases that would bypass the federally regulated auction warehouse system. The companies have begun to contract directly with growers although contracting has never received congressional or administrative approval.
Serving as lead counsel for the growers and quota holders is Alexander J. Pires Jr.

A 19-year-old Nathalie man was arrested Wednesday by sheriff's deputies on a charge of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Jonathan J. Adams, of Tobacco Road, was charged with the possession of the controlled substance which he allegedly intended to distribute on October 29, 1999.
· Donald Hughes, 46, of Cherry Hill Church Road in South Boston, was arrested Wednesday by sheriff's deputies on an assault-and-battery charge.
Hughes allegedly committed the assault and battery of Robin E. Hughes on Tuesday.
· A 28-year-old Nathalie woman was charged Monday by sheriff's deputies with the intentional destruction of a windshield of a vehicle belonging to Stephen Hines.
Lisa J. Hines, of Childrey Church Road, was charged with the destruction of the vehicle's windshield, a damage valued at less than $1,000, which she allegedly committed on April 30.
Hines is scheduled to appear in Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on May 10.

A pair of charges were made by sheriff's deputies this week for permitting the deprivation of an animal's care.
· Jerry Lee Davis, 38, of Green Level Road in Scottsburg, was charged Wednesday with causing an animal to be deprived of care.
Davis is scheduled to appear in Halifax County General District Court on May 19.
· Rebecca Davis, 29, of Hardin Street in Halifax, was charged Tuesday with the deprivation of an animal's care.
Davis is scheduled to appear in General District Court on May 15.

A two-car accident occurred Tuesday evening on Thompson Store Road in the wake of an improper turn.
Trooper G.M. Gilliam said Paul Anthony Blanks, 29, of Halifax, was charged with improper turning after Blanks made a sharp left turn off of Route 360 in a 1996 Ford pickup.
The trooper said Luis Rivera Torres, 34, of Halifax, was driving a 1986 Toyota and slowed the vehicle for a stop sign on Thompson Store Road (Route 676), when Blanks' vehicle turned into the path of Torres.
Torres' vehicle then struck the side of Blanks' vehicle 15 feet north of Route 360, at 6:45 p.m., said Gilliam.
Gilliam estimated $1,400 in damages to the Torres vehicle and $1,200 in estimated damages to the Blanks vehicle.

Halifax County High School baseball coach Kelvin Davis, says tonight's game against GW in Danville is just another game.
But, tonight's 7 p.m. game at Dan Daniel Park in Danville is really much more than just a game.
Tonight's game will not only be another crucial Western District game for the Comets - it will also mark the Comets' first meeting against former Comets coach Scooter Dunn.
"We know coach Dunn will have his guys ready to play," said Davis whose team carries a 10-1 overall record and a 2-1 district slate into the contest.
"We're not going to be worried about anything as far as the things that have happened at GW in the past.
"This is a totally different team," added Davis, "and a different season."
Davis says he, the coaching staff and the team are approaching tonight's contest as just another game.
"We're going to tell the guys this is just another game," Davis said Wednesday afternoon.
"It's a big game. But, it's just another game."
Dunn, who was here Monday to see the Comets' big 2-0 win over Albemarle, was asked what it will be like to face Halifax County.
"We're going to rock and roll," Dunn said with a big smile.
"We're going to have a good time. I've got a young team. These guys don't know a lot about the past history and all of that. I just want my guys to come out, have fun, and try to play a good game."
Davis says that the fact that tonight will mark the first meeting of the Comets and GW since Dunn took over the reigns of the GW baseball program will disappear when the players hit the field.
"Once we get on the field it's just a game of baseball," Davis said.
"Once the game starts, he (Dunn) is going to come at us and he knows we're going to come at GW.
"It's all up to the players," Davis added.
"They've got to get between the lines and play the game."
The Comets enter tonight's game fresh off of a big victory over Albemarle that gave them a share of the Western District lead.
"That was a big game," Davis said of the victory over Albemarle.
"I didn't really realize how big a game it was until after the fact. It was really a big win as far as momentum. We have a lot momentum going into GW."
Dunn's GW club, which has three freshmen and three seniors, will bring a 10-3 overall mark and a 1-2 Western District record into tonight's contest.
GW, though, will be looking to get back on the winning track after having sustained a crucial 7-4 setback Tuesday at the hands of E.C. Glass.
The win marked the first time E.C. Glass had beaten GW in 10 years.
And, it was a big assist for the Comets in that now the Comets and Albemarle are tied at the top of the district standings with a 2-1 mark and GW and E.C. Glass are tied at 1-2.
"That was a big win for Glass," Davis said.
"And, it helps us out. But, we've got to take one day at a time, one game at a time and not get caught up in trying to figure out who we may or may not play in the tournament or whatever. We cannot afford to do that and jump the gun."
Davis cautions that GW should not be taken lightly.
"GW is going to be GW," Davis pointed out.
"Just because they didn't get "up" for E.C. Glass doesn't mean anything. GW has always gotten "up" for Halifax County.
"I'm sure we're going to see a totally different GW club than we saw Tuesday."

Carrie Mae Woodall Kell, age 85, of Chase City died May 3, 2000.
She was the widow of Thornton Kell Jr. and is survived by her daughters, Florence Isabell Martin of Halifax, Dorothy K. Howerton of South Boston and Audrey K. Queensberry of Chase City; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, May 5 at Wood Funeral Chapel in Chase City with the Rev. Ray Bucklew officiating. Burial will follow in Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Halifax County.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Chase City Rescue Squad, PO Box 81, Chase City 23924.

Gertrude Ella Decator Mallard, age 79, of 1025 Mallard Lane, South Boston, died April 30, 2000, at the Stafford Health Center in Danville.
Mrs. Mallard was born in Philadelphia, Penn. on October 30, 1920, the daughter of Willard Decator and Gertrude Decator and was married to Rev. Robert Mallard. She was a member of Union Grove CME Church.
Survivors include devoted cousins, Catherine Stephens and William Stephens, both of Halifax, Harold Tucker of Washington, D.C. and Johnnie Tucker of New York, N.Y.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mallard will be held May 6 at 11 a.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ronald Dean officiating. Burial will follow in Union Grove CME Church Cemetery.

Donald Jeffreys, age 52, of 1403 Penick Avenue, South Boston, died May 2, 2000, at his home.
Mr. Jeffreys was born in Mecklenburg County on January 23, 1948, the son of Alex Tucker and Mary Alice Jeffreys Sallie and was married to Helen Morton Jeffreys. He was a member of Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church and was a Vietnam Marine Veteran.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Patricia Wilson and Sharon Jeffreys, both of Richmond, April Jeffreys and Shakiyla Jeffreys, both of South Boston; one son, Donald Lee Jeffreys of South Boston; two grandchildren, Shakiyra Jeffreys and Delquan Torian; three sisters, Sharon Sallie, Viola Sallie and Delores Sallie, all of Bridgeport, Conn.; two brothers, William Jeffreys and Kevin Sallie, both of Bridgeport.
Funeral services for Mr. Jeffreys will be held May 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church with the Elder Bernard Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.

John Gary Jr., age 64, of 3184 Meadville Road, Halifax, died May 2, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Gary was born in Brooklyn N.Y. on June 1, 1935.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Gary of Halifax; two sisters, Deloris Slaughter and Mary Covington, both of Long Island, N.Y.; four brothers, Julius Gary of Milwaukee, Wisc., Herman Gary, Stanley Gary and Malcolm Gary, all of Brooklyn.
Funeral services for Mr. Gary will be held May 6 at 3 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church in Nathalie with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Willie Yancey will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Lucille Anderson Martin, age 78, of 5177 Volens Road, Nathalie, died May 3, 2000, at her home.
Mrs. Martin was born in Halifax County on December 26, 1921, the daughter of Henry Anderson and Lillie Crews Anderson and was married to Herbert Johnson Martin. She was a member of Childrey Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, H. Kenneth Martin and wife, Shirley of Halifax and Gerald B. Martin and wife, Barbara of Brookneal; one daughter, June M. Owen and husband, Walter of Gaylord, Mich.; two sisters, Inez (Tootie) Newbill of South Boston and Helen Owen of Clover; two brothers, Edgar Anderson of Lynchburg and Glen Anderson of Clover; six grandchildren, Susan Lovalvo, Janet Owen, Melanie Perkins, Heidi Singleton, Teah Bayless and Keith Martin; four great-grandchildren, Stephanie Lovalvo, Ross Singleton, Joshua Gentry and Willow Perkins. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Earnest and Oakley Anderson and one sister, Nora Lee Francisco.
Funeral services for Mrs. Martin will be held May 6 at 2 p.m. at Childrey Baptist Church with the Rev. Rodney Barwick conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, May 5 from 7:00 until 8:30 and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Cancer Society, PO Box 875, South Boston 24592 or the Hospice Support Care of Southside Virginia, PO Box 1355, Halifax 24558.