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Neighbors say repeated landfill odors cause nausea, headaches and lost business
Summary
Residents and local manufacturers described persistent odors and alleged health symptoms tied to Seneca Meadows emissions; one manufacturer said workers have gone home sick and will submit test results he says show elevated H2S levels.
Several area residents and a local manufacturer told the board they experience persistent landfill odors and reported health and business impacts they attribute to Seneca Meadows emissions. Peter DeBede, who runs a wood-seasoning business on River Road, said odors threaten his product and business model and asked for board support so he would not have to relocate.
"If indeed my fears are real... what do I do? Do I close my business?" DeBede asked, describing his need to season oak outdoors for three years for cooperage products. He told the board the material is porous and could absorb contaminants. Rich Swinehart of Waterloo Container said his company has been testing air and plans to present evidence that "H2S levels are above what's recommended," and that employees have experienced nausea and headaches.
Resident Jean Gilroy described a 13-hour episode of landfill odor at her farm adjacent to Black Brook Creek and said hotline responses did not stop the event. Valerie Stanlis recounted smelling landfill gas during routine errands and urged denial of the operating permit "this year, next year, and then we'll be done with it." The board acknowledged receipt of 58 letters and emails on the landfill (53 negative, 5 positive) and reiterated the Jan. 21 special meeting to focus on the permit and related evidence.
