TOLEDO (WTOL) - A packed house of angry Seneca and Hancock County residents was heard loud and clear by board members of the Seneca County General Health District Thursday night.
Every seat in the 140-seat Chisholm Auditorium on the campus of Tiffin University was filled and dozens more residents waited outside as the board voted on the license for Sunny Farms Landfill.
The board had the option of renewing the license for the landfill, which has been operating just south of Fostoria since 1970, approving it with conditions, or issuing a notice of intent to decline the license.
When board member Philip Steyer made a motion to take the first step in declining the license, many members of the audience rose to their feet and cheered.
Board members voted unanimously to put the landfill on notice that their license is in danger. Sunny Farms now has 30 days to request a hearing with the county, and they will be allowed to plead their case and present evidence that they are attempting to be a good citizen.
Vice President of Operations Matt Neely was shouted down repeatedly while trying to give his statement before the board. When his three-minute time limit to speak was up, he was shut down by the board.
But after the meeting, Neely told WTOL that he is satisfied with the steps the landfill has been taking to squash odors that have been disrupting the lives of nearby residents. Sunny Farms has invested millions of dollars into equipment to strip hydrogen sulfide from gas and water that leaves the landfill.
“We have taken many, many actions to address the people’s concerns who live around the landfill,” Neely said. “We have seen great improvements already and expect they will continue in the coming weeks and months.”
But many residents in attendance said they have heard the promises before and that the time is up for the landfill. Fostoria resident Nate Heiser has been among the most vocal residents, and the crowd gave him an extended ovation after his 3-minute statement.
After the meeting, he said that the residents have just had enough.
“The support has been overwhelming in this town. And everybody feels the same way. We’re sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Heiser said.
Sunny Farms is planning to ask for a hearing from the county. If the county continues to reject their bid for a license, they have a right to appeal before an independent environmental commission.