PA - Plainfield Township Issues Cease-And-Desist Order To Wood Pellet Company

Plainfield Township supervisors issued a cease-and-desist order against a wood pellet manufacturer Wednesday in the wake of a sound study that found the company in violation of local noise ordinances

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Plainfield Township Issues Cease-And-Desist Order To Wood Pellet Company

By Tom De Martini
SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL
August 14, 2009

Plainfield Township supervisors issued a cease-and-desist order against a wood pellet manufacturer Wednesday in the wake of a sound study that found the company in violation of local noise ordinances.

The order gives TreeCycle owner Bob Taggart 15 days to comply with noise statutes, take measures aimed at compliance or appeal to the township's Zoning Hearing Board.

The order was mandated after several of 50 angry residents in attendance squared off against Taggart during a contentious Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday.

Frustrated residents again urged supervisors to provide relief from noise, dust and odors they say emanate from the grinding plant that began operating intermittently at Engler Road and Route 191 in March.

Those pleas became strident after a report from Avogadro Environmental Corporation of Forks Township showed Tree Cycle in violation of noise levels on three separate occasions Aug. 3. Supervisors hired Avogadro in June for $4,000 to conduct the study.

''Everybody has issues to be resolved,'' said township solicitor David Backenstoe. ''TreeCycle is working to become compliant, but they are having some operating issues. The noise and the odors are really bothering the immediate residents.''

The report showed noise from the plant exceeding the maximum 60-decibel level at 806 Bangor Road, 822 Bangor Road and along the township's bike path, near Winchester Drive.

Noise at other locations, including homes on Shady Lane and Awesome Drive, was below the allowable decibel level. However, residents maintain noise levels exceed limits at those locations.

Supervisors met with several township residents during an executive session Wednesday to hear their input into the noise problems.

Backenstoe said a recent conversation with Department of Environmental Protection officials concerning air quality showed two violations in June and July.

''But, [DEP officials] said those violations were from dozens of inspections. So, from their perspective, [TreeCycle] is compliant,'' Backenstoe said.

Taggart told supervisors and residents that he could immediately mitigate the sound problems but noted neighbors and supervisors specifically asked that he not build soundproof fences, land berms or a large warehouse along the property lines.

''I'm trying to be a good neighbor,'' Taggart said. ''It cost me $20,000 to shut down for a neighbor's picnic. But, at what point do we stop taking complaints from people where the sound is within the acceptable levels?''

That sparked a series of heated exchanges with residents Jim Love of Shady Lane and Darryl Bierly of Awesome Drive.

''There is a constant burning sawdust odor and the sound is like a steam train on the engine all day long,'' Love said. ''We are going to keep the pressure on [supervisors] until they do something about it.''

Tom De Martini is a freelance writer.

Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.mcall.com/news/all-a13_3plainfield.6988412aug14,0,5757921.story

Category: Forestry>Wood Pellets

Region: Pennsylvania

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