Concerns raised in Avoca during emergency meeting over waste transfer station

AVOCA, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Concern and frustration from residents in Avoca Borough Wednesday night during an emergency meeting over a proposed waste transfer station.

They’re worried that the project will mean more noise and pollution in their neighborhood and have local history to prove their point.

It was standing room only at the Queen of the Apostles Parish Hall in Avoca Wednesday night.

More than a hundred residents say they do not want a solid waste station in the community.

“Nothing, no protections nothing,” an Avoca resident said.

28-year-Avoca resident Bruce Bodedeker was adamant he doesn’t want a waste transfer station built in his community.

“All in all it just shouldn’t be in a residential neighborhood,” Bodedeker said.

“By a show of hands, only, how many people here are opposed to it,” said Avoca resident Michael Volpitta.

Most of the crowd in attendance were behind Bodedeker.

Big Rocks LLC is proposing to operate a nearly 12,000-square-foot construction and demolition transfer station.

The facility would take in wood, metal, and plastic and then transfer the materials to nearby landfills.

“It enables contractors. It enables demolition companies to use the transfer station as a convenient alternative to having to wait in line to get rid of construction debris at a landfill. At least 30% of the products that are deposited at the transfer station will be recycled and that’s an important impact on the community,” said Frank Hoegen, a Luzerne County Attorney representing Big Rocks LLC.

The company claims it would bring in 40 trucks a day starting at 6:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Residents are concerned about traffic, noise, and pollution, and the potential health risks.

The worry is backed up by history.

Thousands of residents were exposed to toxic chemicals from a Kerr-Mcgee Corporation Wood Treatment Plant that once operated in the borough for decades.

“The exact same concerns. They caused cancer at least they were able to be sued. An LLC, you cannot sue,” Bodedecker stated.

“I think this proposed use will have a much less impact on the community,” Hoegen explained.

Luzerne and Lackawanna County Representative Jim Haddock was there to support the Avoca community Wednesday night.

He says he wants to see the plan stopped.

Lawmakers did not reach a final agreement and there’s no word on when the next meeting on the waste transfer project will be.

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