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Resident tells council smoke from neighbor’s tree-cutting burns is harming family, seeks new rules
Summary
A Morristown resident told council a neighboring tree-cutting business is bringing freshly cut wood to a residential lot and burning it at night, causing smoke infiltration and health problems; he asked the council to consider ordinances to restrict commercial burning on residential properties.
At the July 9 meeting a Morristown resident, Jason Olmo of 24 Cottage Place, told council that a neighbor operating a tree-cutting business has been bringing fresh commercial wood to a residential lot and burning it at various hours. Olmo said the smoke has penetrated his home, that he spent more than $20,000 replacing windows to reduce infiltration, and that his seven-month-old daughter has a persistent cough. He asked the town to consider ordinances limiting the burning of fresh commercial wood, requiring burned material be properly seasoned or treated, setting minimum distances from structures, and banning unattended fires.
Officials on the dais acknowledged the complaint. A member of the administration said Olmo took appropriate initial steps (contacting police and fire) and that the town would begin addressing the matter the next day.
Council did not adopt a new ordinance that night. The request was entered into the public record and administration committed to follow up with enforcement, legal review and potential code updates where appropriate.
Next steps: Administration to review the complaint, consult with fire and code enforcement, and report back to council with recommended enforcement or ordinance changes.
