Published: September 15, 2009 12:18 am      

Jeffersonville residents decry slow progress on asphalt plant

City planner says he's bothered mayor is shouldering blame

It was almost a year ago when Pat Barrow, a resident of Jefferson Court, first came before the Jeffersonville City Council with complaints about the nearby Mac Asphalt plant.

Soot, noise and fumes were among the issues she raised as she called on city leaders to put the plant out of business, saying it should not have been allowed there

On Monday, Barrow and others again appeared before the council, upset with what they called inaction on issues at the plant.

There have been some changes since October, however.

The company has built a berm between itself and the neighborhood and it’s adding a chemical aimed at reducing the odors at the plant.

In previous interviews with The Evening News, plant management has said they’re trying to be good neighbors to the surrounding homes.

However, Barrow, who issued a report card on Mayor Tom Galligan on Monday, says the same problems exist today.

She claims that the city isn’t forcing the company to comply with zoning laws.

And, she noted, that much-discussed legislation — aimed at regulating the plants hours of operation and emissions — hasn’t been passed by the city council.

Others voiced similar frustration.

Darienne Areuri, a resident of Myrtle Street, said the emissions were causing her sinus and throat problems. And she said the chemical additive being used to reduce the odor is not helping.

Planning Director Jim Urban — who has addressed the plant during the last year — said it bothered him that the mayor was getting blamed.

He said that he and Galligan had been removed from an e-mail list and had no idea that the problems were persisting.

No action was taken on the complaints.



In other business

• Josh Hillman, with the engineering firm Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, updated the council on a project proposed to install sidewalks on Charlestown Pike.

He told the council that the project was about 99 percent engineered and could soon be ready to bid. He estimated that the effort, which would install about 4,000 feet of sidewalks, would cost about $325,000.

Councilman Ed Zastawny expressed interest in moving forward with the project. Councilman Ron Grooms said he thought it was a great project, as well.

However, he wanted to hold off on a decision to fund it, as budget talks are continuing in the next few weeks.

• No one spoke during a public hearing on the city's budget. More budget talks are expect Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Jeffersonville City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court.