Animal Composting & T-Mobile Tower On DRB Agenda August 5th

Lets make it easy for Lisa Trevor:

CLOKEY/ CRAWFORD – (ANIMAL) COMPOSTING CONDITIONAL USE/SITE PLAN - 720 BUCKHOLLOW ROAD

Members Present: J. Heyer, B. Murphy, J. Beers, C. Rainville

Public Present: J. Clokey, Jim Webb, Robert Ovitt, Kevin Munger, Skip Taylor – ZA

7:20 PM J. Heyer called the meeting to order. The site visit report for the proposal at 720 Buckhollow Road was submitted. The public notice was read and attendees signed in. Interested parties were sworn in. The applicant Jeff Clokey made the presentation. He presented the plan to allow for a “licensed collector of equine mortality” to use a combination of wood chips and organic materials to compost equine carcasses into a rich compost. J. Clokey has received a State Certification from the Vermont Waste Management Division; a copy was submitted for the file. J. Clokey produced photographs from Cornell University, of land used for the same purpose. S. Taylor asked for clarification of certification dates. J. Clokey clarified. J. Heyer asked about inspections to insure compliance. J. Clokey responded that inspections only occurred following a complaint. He also asserted that no more odor than regular farm odors emanated from this product.

B. Murphy asked for details about the process and product. J. Clokey stated that the process takes six months to one year, and that product will be spread on farm fields. Once approved, he hopes to sell the product on the market. C. Rainville asked about bone decomposition. Discussion ensued about temperature/heat required to compost. J. Beers asked about the potential for additives to speed up the process; S. Taylor asked whether there was a different composting rate between winter and summer months; B. Murphy asked about the availability of wood chips to support the process. J. Cokey stated that he would not collect animals if he does not have sufficient material to compost, and that he is required to report in detail to the State of Vermont, for every animal composted the cause of animal death (such as euthanasia –including the substance used). J. Heyer asked where animals would be collected. J. Clokey said this would be statewide as this would be the first composting facility in Vermont, with an anticipated one hundred head per year. The permit covers up to 100 tons per year (approximately 200 head). C. Rainville asked whether other animals were allowed under this permit. J. Clokey responded that they were permissible, but that there was sufficient demand for equine product as there was no facility currently in operation, and the resulting product was particularly rich. Animals would be processed as quickly as possible once identified. J. Beers asked whether animals would be covered during collection and transportation. J. Clokey confirmed they would.

General discussion indicated that predator populations are up in Vermont because people are disposing of dead animals in their back yards. J. Clokey viewed this proposal as a renewable service. B. Murphy questioned the need for a field access permit for this use (as distinct from regular agriculture). J. Clokey responded that he would be the sole operator, and that there would be no public access. B. Murphy asked how the facility would be advertized; J. Clokey responded that this would occur through state veterinarians. J. Beers asked how the product would be kept moist. J. Clokey answered that rainwater alone was sufficient for this process. J. Heyer asked if leaching of product into groundwater was a problem. J. Clokey stated that ground water was far away, and that proper methods were employed to avoid leaching. He also stated that screening of the cause of death would prevent risk of pathogens. S. Taylor asked specifically about risk to a local daycare (400 feet away from proposed site). J. Clokey said that children play on the other side of the house. Additionally, a silt fence would be in place around the composting area to cover visibility. Families of daycare children would also be notified. Normal hours of operation for the composing business will be Monday through Friday between 7:00am to 5:00pm.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS: B. Ovitt expressed concern over other animals digging at the site, the possible smells produced, as well as the possibility of “unknown” causes of death for animals used in product that may cause disease. Additionally, he questioned the impact on real estate values with the site being 75 ft from the road. B. Murphy clarified the distance to be 150 ft. J. Clokey suggested that trees and fencing may be used to further cover the site from view. K. Munger asked what the available recourse was if there were problems with odor. J. Clokey stated that the state has a complaints process. There could be an annual inspection according to the state permit, and the town could consider additional conditions. B. Ovitt asked for details on the length of the windrows for the carcasses. J. Clokey responded that sixty animals would require five to six rows. K. Munger asked who would buy the product. J. Clokey said that he would sell it on the open market once approved, requiring a one- to two-year cycle to produce solid waste. In the interim period prior to such approval, he would use the product on his own site only. Further discussion concerned possible town regulations for spreading of product, hours of operation, point of sale of product, ensuring death certificates for every animal from veterinarians, removal of compost product from the site, and additional odor ordinance.

B. Murphy made a motion to close the hearing to public input and to move to deliberative. J. Beers second. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,
Susie Posner Jones, DRB Alternate