TLA/Pond View Opponents Ask Council Why Zoning Officer 'Isn't Doing His Job'

Residents living along Roger Williams Avenue want one question answered: Why haven't city officials inspected the "little Johnston landfill" — the TLA/Pond View premises?

A group that opposes the Dexter Road recycling facility, currently in , took the podium to make some noise about the issue at last Tuesday's City Council meeting. Members said the city's zoning officer should be monitoring the premises after Judge Michael Silverstein granted city officials inspection rights during a May 3 court hearing. 

"It's been 10 days ... Do your jobs," said Jo-Ann Durfee, a member of the East Providence Action Coalition, during Tuesday's meeting.

Ken Schneider, of East Providence Coalition, said a previous council was duped after a former TLA/Pond View owner said he would only grind clean wood pellets when he was also processing trash. He also said vice president Jack Walsh was "fired for incompetence."

No one can deny the piles of waste," said another resident, adding he found dead fish and birds near the TLA/Pond View facility. "It's a mini Johnston landfill. It's terrible."

According to the council's attorney, Judge Sarah Taft-Carter will be reviewing the case.