OEPA official tells waste district board that Countywide landfill odor still strong
The Times-Reporter
BOLIVAR – Stench from Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility remains about as bad as it gets, according to monitors.
“The odor was a level three on Sunday,” with four being the worst, said Bill Skowronski, district chief at the Northeast District office of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at Twinsburg.
He gave an update on the odor problem at Countywide during the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Management District board of director’s meeting Friday in the district office at Wilkshire Hills.
He said OEPA is continuing to monitor odor levels at Countywide located in Pike Township of Stark County.
Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl asked Skowronski how many violations have been filed against Countywide in the last few years, but Skowronski said the Stark County Health Department tracks violations. District Executive Director David Held said the health department has presented a copy of violations to the district. He said he would give the list to the three commissioners from each county who form the board.
“Tuscarawas County commissioners are very frustrated with the decision of Chris Korleski, the new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency director – part of the frustration is that we are now negotiating again to resolve the (odor and fire problems),” said Tuscarawas County Commissioner Kerry Metzger, who is chairman of the district board.
“One of the issues from the get-go is the public has no confidence in Countywide collecting and submitting data. The OEPA director’s orders and findings are asking Countywide to collect data and the OEPA will use this information.
“We (the district) were under the gun to write a solid waste plan. Then we were told the OEPA is not taking our plan but hiring an outside firm to write it and you (district) will pay for it,” Metzger said.
“Why can’t the OEPA hire someone to collect data and charge Countywide? Please take this suggestion back to the director,” Metzger told Skowronski.
“When we have needed background, we found an engineering firm that didn’t have a conflict of interest. We need a company from outside of Ohio to collect the data,” said Wayne County Commissioner Cheryl Noah.
Kirk Norris of the Stark County Health Department said a private hearing will be held March 22 about the process in dealing with Countywide’s issues. If the orders are not in compliance within the specified time, Health Commissioner Bill Franks will determine if the complaint against the offender is valid or not. After a health commissioner’s hearing, a recommendation is made to the full board of health.
Norris said Countywide will be treated the same as with any procedures for suspension or revocation of a license by the board of health.
Maryann Fearon, a resident of Bolivar, said she received a citizen’s advisory letter from Countywide recently. She said the letter provides information that the landfill accepts 6,000 tons of waste a day and is the district’s largest landfill and closing it would create enormous havoc and hardship on regional municipalities and hauling companies to redirect waste.
“When will they start to consider us – the hardships we are experiencing,” Fearon asked. “When are you going to get concerned about us?”
Donna Middaugh, an Osnaburg Township trustee, told the board everyone is complaining about the waste other states and counties “dump on us.”
“If we would stop accepting waste from outside the district or state, we would have plenty of space,” she said.
According to information provided by Middaugh, non-district waste generates 73 percent of the landfill capacity, while only 27 percent accepted is in-district waste. She said the total capacity of the four landfills located in the district is 103,796,845 tons. She noted American Landfill at Waynesburg accepts out-of-state waste.
In another matter, the board hired Erica Wright of Canton as full-time district treasurer, effective March 19. She starts at $52,500 annually and after a 120-day probationary period her salary will increase to $53,500. There were 18 applications, with five candidates interviewed.
Cindi Kerschbaumer of New Philadelphia was hired as a full-time grant administrator, effective March 12. She starts at $34,000 annually, which increases to $34,500 after a 120-day probationary period. There were 47 applications, and four were interviewed.
In other business, the board:
– AUTHORIZED Held to sign as the treasurer on all bills until the new treasurer begins.
– GAVE to the budget committee for review information for improvements to the Stark County Recycling Garage. Costs for improvements will be about $50,000. Currently there is no heat or water in the building. Stark County officials are comfortable with the location.
– SET the next board of directors meeting for April 6 at 9:30 a.m. in the district office at 9918 Wilkshire Blvd., Bolivar.
