Community Input Sought Regarding Odenton Concrete Crusher

ODENTON, MD -- Communities surrounding a rubble landfill and recycling operation in Odenton are hoping state officials will change their minds regarding a concrete crusher being used on the site. Opponents worry about the environmental impact the Tolson & Associates facility is having on their communities and how much more that will be exacerbated now that a concrete crusher has been added.

Piney Orchard Community Association President Steven Randol and others spoke out at a state environment department hearing on the subject last month where they expressed concerns about the potential for increased air pollution from exhaust and dust, additional traffic, a reduction in home values and even more noise generated by a cruncher.

The Capital Gazette reported that speakers pointed out how a layer of dust regularly blankets their homes and property that they say is generated by the rubble landfill. Tolson & Associates Vice President Mike Ensor shared at the meeting that the company has a sand and gravel mining operation, a construction and demolition debris landfill, a natural wood waste mulching operation and a vegetative waste compost facility. Every aspect of the operation has a permit and operates within each permit's guidelines, Ensor said.

The Maryland Department of Environment has temporarily approved the permit request allowing operation of the concrete crusher, but will be accepting public comments on the subject until Aug. 6 before issuing a final ruling.