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Reclamation-Asphalt Plant Meeting - Brings Heated Exchanges

The ReclamationProject and Asphalt Plant meeting held on October 17 at the Riverhead Town Hall was well attended by residents of the communities which surround the project. The Preserve, The Manors, Windcrest East, Deep Hole Road and North Woods Road were well represented. There may have been other communities present but were not identified. Each of the spokespersons for these areas made, strong, impassioned pleas demanding that the asphalt plant be shut down now!

Town Spokesmen Review Reclamation Progress

The participants representing the Town made initial presentations regarding the status of the Reclamation project and asphalt plant and a timeline for completion of the project. They stated that the amount of sand to be processed exceeded original estimates and that while the excavation of sand could be terminated in about two years, it may be necessary to keep the asphalt plant operating for an additional year.
There was, of course, disappointment at this prospect and the audience reiterated their displeasure over the current status.

Residents Adamant About Health Issues

Numerous residents made it known that they were very concerned over current health problems. There were stories of pulmonary illness, respiratory problems and sickness from the acrid smells. A gentleman fromThe Manors made a very strong argument as to the problematic presence of toxins in the discharge from the stack. The DEC had little factual response to this. These were many other strong, intense and very angry statements made by frustrated citizens.

The Town was represented by: Carl Fritz, DEC, Syed Rahman, DEC, Tom Wolpert & Doug Adams of Young & Young, Ken Testa, Town engineer and Jeff Seeman, environmental consultant. Barbara Blass, Town Boardmember moderated the meeting. Charlie Grimes and Mark Kennedy were also present.

At some point the Town participants began to realize that the residents were serious about the asphalt plant concerns and wanted a shutdown. At Barbara Blass' suggestion, the Town reps began to consider proposals whereby certain quantities of sand could (after testing) be considered clean enough to be used in regrading the surface of the Reclamation site and the balance could be allocated for processing by other asphalt plants. Town engineer Testa has already been in contact with alternative asphalt operations which may consider taking on these additional product quantities. This could enable a plant shutdown although no one could seem to identify the person or agency who could make that determination.

Shutting down the plant now would be factored into this prospect although no one person on the Town side seemed to encourage the shutdown.

Charlie Grimes, who actually runs the Reclamation project on behalf of the Town, interjected that the removal of the sand to other asphalt plant sites could be costly and also advised that they had recently uncovered large amounts of oil in certain parts of the landfill. This would have to be addressed.

Residents asked for a followup meeting on this (preferably in the evening) as soon as possible and Barbara Blass indicated that they would try to schedule it.