Minutes - Council - 09/15/1980 - Special

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Mayor Gamec said he would like to give Attorney Soucie a chance to comment regarding what he heard. Attorney Soucie said he was speaking in behalf of residents who occupy some of the houses on the west side of the landfill. With respect to the County Health's investigation concerning distances of migration, he had in his hands a study of gas at more than 50' At 60', there was a positive result on August 11, 1980 and on August 19, 1980, some positive results were found at 75' in the backyards of residents and it was getting closer to their homes at that time. This was sometime after the pump was in effect. They don't have anyone who can give an opinion on this. Mr. Gillman who is an expert gave the opinion that he felt that the gas did kill the tress. He placed strict liability on Waste Management and there is an ordinance. He commented on Ms. Ritchie's stating that people can be affected by these odors, but they would have to extract themselves. Their only alternative in this case would be to go in their houses and turn on their air conditioners. It was a constant complaint and the neighbors were calling him. He asked about the quality of life and what could be done about it. He said he wanted his clients to address the council as they are there all the time. Mr. Dan Hatch, 15041 Garnet St. N.W. He said he couldn't say it smells all the time but it is a big problem. A person has to go in the house and cant sit on their back deck at night when the wind dies down. Attorney Soucie said the pump wasn't running this summer by design. It was meant to operate during the winter every two hours. This fact he checked out with Mr. Woelfel, WaSte Management. Mr. Hansmann, 14951 Garnet St. N.W. He said it does smell and if the air is heavy and there is very little wind, they have to close their windows. There should be something done about it. Ms. Sue Van Wagner, 15001 Garnet St. N.W. Since July 31, 1980, I have not been able to sit on my deck, to enjoy my backyard or to enjoy my house sometimes. We have had headaches, stomachaches and nausea. She said she didn't feel she should be subjected to this and anything passing her property line is traspassing. She said it has been a horrible summer along with the noise from the methane pump. Attorney Soucie said there has been some effort to move the pump up in the air 40' Even with the muffler on it, it is irritating. He asked if the pump could be placed where there isn't residents. Mayor Gamec said he thought the concerns about smell and odor, water pollution and migration of gas being at explosive levels had been answered, but not the tree loss issue and what can be planted in the area. Efforts have been made to muffle the noise of the pump. Attorney Soucie said the noise was cut down but still detectable. C/September 15~1980 Page 6