We often hear complaints from people who say elected officials don’t stand up for the common person.

Too often those complaints are valid.

It is with that thought in mind that we commend the Town of Carroll for listening to town residents who opposed a 47.5 acre expansion of a landfill on Dodge Road in Carroll. The fight began in 2005 when board members – having heard from a vocal majority opposed to the landfill – unanimously approved an amendment to the town’s zoning laws that eliminated landfills from being operated by a special use permit and prohibited expansion of current landfills. Challenges to the 2005 laws brought a 2007 town law prohibiting the construction of any solid waste management facility in the town of Carroll.

Those actions were important. Even more impressive is board members standing up to lawsuits challenging the zoning changes and town laws.

The state’s Fourth Department, Appellate Division recently ruled that it had ruled in error in a previous decision on the landfill case and said the town had “rationally exercised their police power in declaring that landfills (in the agricultural and residential zoning district) … should be eliminated.” What’s more, the court ruled the town has also fully complied with all aspects of the state Environmental Conservation Law.

It does not appear further appeals or legal fights are coming. Carroll residents got what they wanted – there will be no new landfills in their town. The residents who stood up in opposition should get a pat on the back today – as should the Town Board members who stood alongside them during this lengthy legal fight.

The residents and board members are an example of what local government should be.