Chrin Recycling Proposal Unanimously Denied

Saying they supported the concept but had a lack of faith in the operator, the for Wednesday evening.

“There have been a number of concerns...about compliance history, said commission chair Charles Elliot, citing a record of more than 130 operational violations at the company's nearby landfill. "Quite candidly, my perspective has changed since hearing this history.”

Member Ron Shipman agreed.

“We've being asked to waive so this composting facility can go into business. Once that's done, we don't have any control,” he said.

The 96-acre site lies in Williams Township, adjacent to Hugh Moore Park, and Chrin has proposed the expansion of a composting and chipping facility on a 5-acre portion of the property, which has yet to be put before the township for approval. Because of its proximity to the city limits which lie along the adjacent recreational area, a waiver indicating Easton's approval of the site is required for the plan to go through.

“When I first heard this, I thought it made sense, but now I'm troubled,” Shipman said.

Even if the waiver were to contain special requirements, they would be difficult for the city to enforce, he said.

“I can imagine this being a morass,” Shipman said. 'The city can't afford to litigate these matters.”

Attorney David Brooman, representing owner Greg Chrin and the company, defended the company's intentions.

“(The Chrins) are the fabric of this community and the last thing they'd want is complaints about odors,” he said.'

He added that the number of violations were “trumped up” by a small number of discontented local residents who complain incessantly about the landfill site.

“These are not just citizen complaints that may or may not have validity,” Elliot said. “They are DEP violations.”

When it appeared the commission seemed likely to deny the waiver recommendation, Brooman threatened legal action.

“If I have to litigate this to get the city of Easton to waive this, I will,” he said.

“You will not intimidate the City of Easton on a totally discretionary waiver,” Elliot, who is also an attorney, said.

City solicitor Joel Scheer chided Brooman.

“Is that the way the city can expect Chrin to act, to threaten litigation?” he asked.

“That's one of the thing's I'm frankly concerned about,” Elliot said. “What you're asking us to do is make a leap of faith...I really wanted to support this project.

“The history of compliance doesn't give me confidence in future compliance,” he added.

Commissioner James Bloom added that even if Chrin didn't intend certain products, such as butcher waste, the permit allowed it and a future operator could take advantage of that.

“I'm thinking down the road, say, 30 or 50 years,” he said.

And Commissioner Dennis Lieb said he'd complied a long list of technical concerns about the project on which his rejection was based, but was so insulted by the company's presentation and threat, that he'd skip presenting them and just vote no.

Despite the denial, company owner Greg Chrin appeared upbeat afterward.

“We'll move forward,” he said. “We have a plan.”

Though the company has other properties in the area, he intends to continue with the Williams site, which currently composts leaves and some construction materials.

“It's a perfect site,” Chrin said.

Elliot said he was disappointed consensus with the waste disposal company couldn't be reached.

“We really wanted to get there, but it was a bridge too far,” Elliot said.