Rumford Residents Rally at State House Against Proposed Expansion

Rumford residents joined lawmakers and environmental groups at the State House today to oppose a request by the company TLA/Pond View to expand operations.

The company, which is seeking permission to increase the amount of materials it is allowed to process to 1,500 tons of waste per day, is located across Omega Pond from the residents.

Many have long complained of the dust, odor and noise they say comes from the facility, but company representatives have argued there are no violations against the company.

Residents planned to drop off letters at the  office of Janet Coit, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, to express their opposition to the agency potentially granting TLA/Pond View permission to expand its operations. A decision on the license request is expected by May 2.

A House committee is also holding a hearing this afternoon on a measure sponsored by Rep. Helio Melo that would limit the amount of waste a facility near a residential neighborhood can process. State Sen. Daniel DaPonte has sponsored similar legislation in the Senate, which passed unanimously.

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