Ucci Calls for RIRRC Director OConnell's Resignation at Landfill Odor Hearing

More than 50 residents from Johnston and surrounding communities gathered at Johnston High School last night to voice their frustration at the ongoing odor problems at the Central Landfill at a Special House Commission hearing.

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the company that manages the state's largest trash-collection operation, did not attend the meeting due to the pending lawsuit that was filed against them earlier this week. Johnston's mayor, Joseph Polisena, and town officials also did not attend the meeting citing the same reason.

Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston), chairman of the Special House Committee said the smell issue came to a head in October "where it became incredible" and said residents' everyday lives were affected in every aspect, from enjoying the outdoors to contending with the smell entering thier homes.

Ucci also called for the resignation of Michael OConnell, chairman of RIRRC, stating OConnell is incapable of solving the odor problem as well as not appearing at the commission session.

Several residents, including Harold Himburger of Johnston, told the panel that he has had very few headaches in his life, but for the past nine weeks he has had one. He suspects it has to do with the odors coming from the landfill.

Other residents said the landfill should be shut down until the smell is eliminated. Others said the trash should be incinerated instead of buried. One woman said her throat closes as soon as she breathes the air outside her house in the morning and she said the odor has even affected her dog, which has gunk in its eyes.

Earlier this week, Mayor Joseph Polisena filed a lawsuit in Providence County Superior Court against RIRRC and Broadrock Renewables, the company that runs a gas-capturing and burning facility at the Landfill.

Hydrogen sulfide escaping from the piles of trash at the Central Landfill has been blamed for the odor. RIRRC officials have said that rainwater clogged gas-collection pipes and allowed the gas to escape into the air; state Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit wrote in a recent letter that Broadrock had apparently been capturing and burning less of the gas than required.

Coit, at the meeting, said she came to the hearing with "great concern, empathy and frustration" and "all Rhode Islanders deserve to live in a community that doesn't stink."