Mendon and Bellingham Businesses Agree to Cease Operating Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers that Produced Air Pollution

Omar Wenger, who does business as T&T Trailer Sales of Mendon and is a partner in Pennsylvania Farmer Boy of Bellingham, has been assessed penalties totaling $2,800 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for air pollution problems resulting from the operation of outdoor wood-fired boilers at both facilities, located at 123 Uxbridge Road in Mendon and 800 Pulaski Boulevard in Bellingham.

During an inspection prompted by smoke and odor complaints conducted in March of 2006, a MassDEP inspector found that an outdoor wood-fired boiler (OWB) being used at T&T Trailer Sales was generating the smoke, in violation of applicable regulatory standards. A Notice of Noncompliance was promptly issued requiring the company to immediately eliminate the visible emissions. Inspections conducted in July of 2006 revealed the OWB was still being used, and it was emitting smoke in violation of applicable standards. During the same time period, MassDEP received information from the Bellingham Board of Health and Fire Department that they had responded to repeated smoke and odor complaints about an OWB operated at the Pennsylvania Farmer Boy location. 

In a recently finalized consent order, Mr. Wenger agreed to cease operating the OWBs at both locations. MassDEP has suspended the associated $2,800 penalty pending compliance with the order.

"Operation of outdoor wood-fired boilers that create nuisance conditions and air pollution are a violation of air quality regulations," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "In addition, MassDEP is aware of many municipalities that are enacting regulations governing the appropriate siting and operation of OWB units."

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