03-13-85 Public Works Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3. Public Works Committee Councilman Zakrzewski noted that the technical committee was advisory in nature and would make recommendations directly to Mayor Parent. However with Dr. Plain as its chairman he had authority pursuant to various environmental laws. A student from Notre Dame questioned what costs there would be on a daily basis if the plant was shut down. This information was not available. Mr. Waite stated that he believed that Mayor Parent had not informed the Council on this issue. Several members of the public stated that a "substantial reduction" of the odor would not be good enough. Others voiced strong conern that the matter had become a "question of deception" . City Engineer Leszczynski stated that part of the reason for the technical committee was to resolve the problem and inform the public on what was happening. He noted that the ultimate authority regarding the odor was with the County Health Department. He said that a specific time table would be prepared by the technical committee. Dr . Streeter from Notre Dame was also being contacted. Councilman Serge noted that he has dealt with several odor problems in the past, more specifically Prenco and Bendix. Bendix spent over a half million dollars to correct the problem. He said that working together the problem could be solved, and perhaps Bendix should be contacted. A member of the public questioned the credibility of the proposals and was informed that New Energy has hired Butler Engineering and David McGee Engineering as consultants . Mr. Cribbs assured the people that the equipment that has been ordered would be installed by the end of April . Councilman Voorde noted that the problem is unacceptable. In December the public was told that there were start-up problems that would be solved within "a month of two ." He said a solution must be found. He noted that the Council was told that there would not be such problems and that a "considerable act of faith is necessary for the problem to be corrected. " He further noted that if the problem cannot be corrected that appropriate legal action should be taken. Mr. Cribbs stated that the plant is inspected once a year by the County Health Department. A stack test would be made next week, however the EPA would make no official tests . He also noted that an environmental impact statement was not prepared prior to the plant going into operation. Upon questioning it was noted that the two fires at the plant were caused by combustion problems. A member of the public noted that the wet scrubbers may be obsolete and that an incinerator might be a suggestion. Mr. Kimble of New Energy noted that "mist eliminators are in the scrubbers and are designed to take water out". They do not have charcoal scrubbers .