Auto Wrecker Cited for Dangerous, Hazardous Site In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY — An auto wreck yard in the city was cited recently by state environmental conservation officers and the city fire department, for a work site filled with dangerous and ecologically hazardous substances stored in dangerous and reckless ways.

ECOs Dustin Dainack, Craig Tompkins, Chad Eyler, Kevin Wamsley, and Aaron Bonilla, along with Lt. Meg Filmer and members of the Mount Vernon Police and fire departments, conducted a saturation detail focusing on auto repair shops and dismantlers Jan. 31.

At Joe’s Auto Wreckers Inc., a vehicle dismantling yard at 625 S. Columbus Ave., ECOs said they found mountains of engines and transmissions leaking oil, huge piles of lead acid batteries, waste tires, burn barrels of trash next to oil and gas tanks, and cars stacked haphazardly on one another. The ground was caked in mud and oil.

Dainack issued five summonses to the business for failing to store lead acid batteries as required, failing to collect, store, and treat vehicle fluids as required, depositing noisome and unwholesome substances on a highway, open burning of solid waste, and failure to prevent solid waste residuals from migrating off site, DEC officials said.

In addition, the City of Mount Vernon Fire Department issued multiple fire code violations. Dainack and DEC staff will revisit the site to ensure it is cleaned and brought to compliance, state officials said.

PHOTO/ DEC