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Boyle County magistrates press pause on air-curtain burner amid smoke complaints; recycling bid approved
Summary
Residents and magistrates raised health and nuisance concerns about a temporary air-curtain burner at the county brush site; the court approved pausing the burner while staff gather air-quality data and examine alternative options. Separately, the court authorized a bid for a glass pulverizer to expand local recycling capacity.
Boyle County Fiscal Court on Tuesday moved to withhold continued use of a temporary air-curtain burner until the court receives additional information about its effects on neighbors and local air quality.
The pause followed multiple public complaints and magistrate remarks describing heavy smoke and diesel odors from the brush-burning operation. A neighbor, Freddie Green, told the court the smoke was “so strong” that it affected his home and prompted calls to court members. Recycling director Angie Muncy said the division held a permit and that air-quality staff had inspected the site; she acknowledged that startup burns of wet material can produce visible smoke but said the operation is within current permit conditions and that she is seeking a more permanent site.
Magistrate Bowdoin moved to discontinue use of the burner until staff could compile air-quality results, inspect the site with interested magistrates and report back. Several magistrates supported an on-site visit before a final action; one asked that the judge be authorized to make an executive decision based on the findings. The court directed staff to obtain air-quality reports, document complaints and provide a timeline for alternatives; the matter will return to the court after those steps.
Muncy also briefed the court on the county recycling program and requested permission to solicit bids for a glass-pulverizer system (an Anela MegaMini with trommel and conveyor). The court approved the request to put the pulverizer out to bid and encouraged continued public outreach and an Oct. 30 public forum to educate residents about proper curbside recycling and contamination reduction.
The court’s actions leave the burner temporarily suspended pending review, and moving forward the county will collect additional monitoring data and testimony before making a long-term decision.
