TrackLine operations halted after stop-work order; owner and engineers say submittal imminent, commission urges process

A stop‑work order issued Friday halted on‑site activity by TrackLine, a company converting retired railroad ties and other feedstocks into alternative fuel, after a filing deadline was missed, company representatives told the City Commission at the April 14 meeting.

TrackLine owner David (Dave) Malay described the company’s operations and its relationship with a major nearby customer. Malay said TrackLine began limited operations in January while working toward a full site‑plan submittal and that the company had invested substantial equipment in the site. He told commissioners that a submission deadline tied to site permitting was missed by one day, triggering a stop‑work order, and that his engineering firm (JV Pro) submitted the full site plan on Saturday. Malay asked the city for leniency so operations could continue while staff processed the permit.

JV Pro principal Jay Brown told the commission that the team had planned an April 11 submittal and completed and uploaded the site plan over the weekend; he said the firm did not understand a stop‑work order would follow the miss. “We had no idea there was negative consequences associated with this,” Brown said, adding that the plan was submitted after a final review and that the firm works frequently with Newberry staff.

Joy Glanzer, a longtime community volunteer and organizer, urged the commission to continue supporting industrial businesses that rely on the city’s heritage industries, including phosphate, and said Newberry historically has taken extra steps to assist such businesses during permitting. Other public speakers praised the economic potential of TrackLine and urged staff to help move the project forward.

Commissioners and staff said they want the project to succeed but emphasized that the city must follow established permitting procedures and give neighbors and the public an opportunity to review applications. Commissioner Martin said the city will protect citizens first while working to resolve permit issues. The mayor and staff indicated legal and planning staff would review the submittal and expedite processing where lawful. City legal counsel (Mr. Carney) said he would work with staff and consultants to determine next steps.

No formal action was taken during public comment; commissioners said that once a complete application is on file staff will expedite review and follow the normal public‑notice and permitting process. City staff invited TrackLine representatives to meet with planning and legal staff to resolve outstanding technical and bonding questions and to ensure the application proceeds through the planning and permitting sequence.

Why it matters TrackLine’s operation would supply an established local plant with an alternative fuel and represents a potential large employer and industrial investment in Newberry. The stop‑work order and the timing of the site‑plan submittal create immediate operational and regulatory questions: continued operation without review could deprive neighbors of notice and limit public input, while a forced shutdown could affect the local fuel supply and jobs.

Next steps Staff said they will confirm receipt and completeness of the JV Pro submittal, prioritize technical review where permitted by law, and coordinate with legal counsel on outstanding compliance or bonding questions. Commissioners asked that staff act quickly while ensuring the city’s notice and permitting obligations are met.