Kolle said the site just inside the city limits off south Belmont Road is too near residences and the waste contains too many items the firm's burning permit bans. Contractors maintain it differs from open-air burning and won't create smoke or other effects. But state health officials confirmed that the debris contains plastic, asphalt shingles and other materials the state permit requires be removed before the planned burning. Such items can produce excessive smoke.
Workers do remove toxic materials such as paint, tires and asbestos.
He said the state would monitor the burning and shut it down if it caused too much smoke or other problems. Meanwhile, Kolle said residents living near the disposal site are signing petitions to move the whole mess somewhere else. But Bill Delmore, an assistant attorney general who oversees environmental enforcement for the state, says the permit specifically leaves local officials the authority to determine where the burning will be conducted. Mayor Pat Owens said the issue was discussed at a Flood Response Team meeting Wednesday and the decision was left to City Engineer Ken Vein's staff. Vein could not be reached for comment.