Residents filled Columbian High School’s auditorium to get questions answered at the meeting organized by the Seneca County General Health District and moderated by the county’s public information officer, Dean Henry.
She said the health board delayed a vote on licensing department and is researching the issues – one of the main reasons for the public forum.
“We noted the complaints had risen,” she said.
He said Ohio EPA ordered the landfill Jan. 31 to take several measures in hopes of alleviating the odor and has been consulting with US EPA and other agencies to find solutions.
He said calls increased greatly October through December, which prompted Ohio EPA to work with the health department and take samples downwind from the landfill.
Brdicka said a new hydrogen sulfide treatment system is being installed, which began in December.
Projects coming up this year, he said, include expansion of gas collection systems, new wells that allow gas to be drawn more quickly after waste placement, a new hydrogen sulfide treatment system, an impermeable odor control blanket, additional clay cover on the east slope for increased odor control, continuous hydrogen sulfide sampling stations, increased environmental monitoring and a new website and community outreach program.
Joining the three agencies to help answer questions were representatives from the Ohio Department of Health and Tim Wasserman, director of Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Solid Waste Management District.
The forum was scheduled after about 80 Fostoria-area residents attended the December health board meeting to object to the renewal of the landfill’s operating license.
The board had been scheduled to vote on the renewal, but delayed its decision and decided to research the issue.