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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-05-18May 18, 1982 ,Special Meeti n,~ The BOARD OF APPEALS held a special meeting on Tuesday evening, May 18, 1982 in the Town Office Meeting Room with the following members present and voting: Frank Serio, Jr., Chairman; Alfred Frizelle, Esq., Vice-Chairman; Augustine W. Nickerson; William Sullivan; and Walter F. Soule. PUBLIC HEARING Mass. Refusetech, Inc. - variance - Holt Road The legal notice was read. Mr. Charles Best and Mr. John Phillips were present for Mass. Refusetech, a subsidZary of UOP. !Mr. Best made the following points: - A variance was granted in April of 1982 for the structure, but the stack was excluded from the petition. - The structure is for the proposed resource recovery system in cooperation with the Northeast Solid Waste Committee Project. The stack will be 234 feet. The FAA limit is 290 feet. The approximate ground elevation is 60 feet. The original application to FAA was to use the high intensity lighting, but because of complaints, they will use aviation red. The FAA has issued their permit. The EPA wants them to go higher for better dispursion of gas emissions. - They (EPA) prefer 2½ times the height of the building. - There is no health hazard or break,in standards. - EPA and FAA did agree in the end. - The State hearing will be held on June 3, 19B2. - There will be a small amount of solidus. - It is designed and guarnateed not to emit more than .05 grains for dry standard cubic foot. The Federal standard is .08 and the State is .05. - If you Put light through it, it would not scatter a light beam more than 10-15~. May 18, 1982 ~2- Special Meeting Mass. Refusetech continued The material will all be less than micron size (one millionth) of a meter). To be burned: carbon dioxide, sulpher, hydrocloric gases, oxygen, knox (nitrogen dioxide), hydrophloric gas (small percent). EPA has authorized construction. They have to monitor~the sulpher, knox, C02 according to Federal standards. This will also have to be filed with DEQE properly on a monthly basis. The FAA permit that was granted says the elevation was 40 feet at sea level and the height was 250 feet and the overall height was 290 feet. Right now, it looks like 60 feet and the stack will be 230 feet, but not to exceed 290 feet above mean sea level. He met with Mr. Anthony Galvagna at Western Electric (Mr. Galvagna also serves on the Conservation Commission), who has been assigned by WE to monitor the project. There is no health concern. The concern is the potential of gases being emitted. The reject rate is not yet known. This petition requests a variance 'for the height of the stack. Mr. Best presented a copy of the FAA's permit and spoke of other/plants in the United States which have been in operation for 11 years (Chicago) and 10 years (Harrisburg). He added: They do what OSHA allows divided by 3 from an 8-ho.ur exposure to a 24-hour exposure, whi.ch is the generally accepted standard. At the point of maximum impact, they are between 8 and 15% of that number. In comparison to other plants in the United States, this one has some more advanced technology. The level of~control is more stringent. They have a residue recovery sys.tem. They will take out the magnetic material and sell it. The remaining residue is like glass sand and is useable fill material. There are small quantities that are too fine for backfill, and they eill go to the Peabody landfill. May 18, 1982 -3- Special Meeting Mass. Refusetech continued If there is a mechanical failure, the incoming refuse would be diverted to Peabody. Mr. Peter Kiberstis for the Citizens of Methuen, asked to speak. He told the Board that he saw the legal notice in the local newspaper and called Me~huen's Town Council and a member of the Council asked him to come tonight. He is concerned about smoke emissions. He also asked about the cleansing process. Mr. Best replied that there is a continual cleaning made up of multiple sections of wrapping groups. On'fly ash, it will necer exceed the .05 number. In response to a question of a breakdown, Mr. Best said there are 21 days out of the year'when the system is checked and inspected. ?here are a couple of hundred feet of collecting plates, and there are safety factors built into the system. During the lO-day inspection period, any broken wires will be repaired and any major repairs will be addressed. These boilers have the capabilities of working.tO0% of the time. Mr. Kiberstis asked about Camp, Dresser, and McKee's role in the project and Mr. Best replied that to obtain permits, com- puter programs are necessary. Camp, Dresser, and McKee did the engineering, modeling, and computer work for them (UOP). Mr. Kiberstis replied that Methuen has had problems with the company and Mr. Best said that they did not do the design. Member Frizelle added that the North Andover Board of Appeals is concerned with the question of zoning. Member Sullivan asked about alarms inside-the stack and whether or not there is a way for people to be notified. Mr. Best re- plied that the Federal permit requires monitoring and alarms, which will be operated continuously. There will always be a fireman and other personnel on the premises, except during bad weather and during shutdowns. Also, the EPA must be notified three months prior to "start-up" and the State will require "smoke density alarms" Member Sullivan then asked if there is an alarm if the plates are ineffective and Mr. Best replied that the al~arm would trip and the operator would shut down the unit. The EPA has 6 types of modeling to be done. There are several factors and they have expended millions of dollars to correct the situation. Also, there will be lightening rods. Mr. john Albis, Methuen, from the Department of Environmental Affairs, and project manager for the proposal, spoke in favor. May 18, 1982 ,4- Special Meeting Mass. Refusetech continued MOTION: by Mr. Frizelle to grant the variance as requested based upon the same factors that were presented at the previous hearing. SECOND: by Mr. Soule Discussion Member Sullivan wants to find out from Western Electirc whether or not it will hake any affect on them. Mr. Frizelle argued that they were properly notified of the public hearing and had an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Albis added that UOP is working very closely with Western Electric. UOP has made available to them consultants to iron out any difficulties. He said that the access road is more of a problem than the air problem. Members Frizelle and Sould withdrew their motion and second. MOTION: by Mr. Frizelle to take under advisement. SECOND: by Mr. Soule VOTE: Unanimous - motion carries. The Board will set up a special meeting to render their decision. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Frank Serio, Jr., C~airman Jean E. White, Secretary