AIM gets another extension to assess effectiveness of sound barrier at Moncton site
Resident who lives nearby says wall of shipping containers have not made a difference
The New Brunswick government has extended the operating approval for a Moncton scrapyard by four months to assess whether a wall of shipping containers is effective in reducing noise concerns.
The Department of Environment and Local Government extended the approval for American Iron and Metal, or AIM, from Nov. 30 to March 31, 2025.
"The department is requiring AIM to measure the effectiveness of the noise barrier," Vicky Lutes, a spokesperson for the department, said in an email this week.
Lutes didn't answer a question about how the effectiveness will be measured.
Jo-Ann McCarthy says she hasn't noticed much difference in the noise since the container wall was constructed. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Residents like Jo-Ann McCarthy, who live less than 200 metres away, say it hasn't been effective since it was installed in recent weeks.
"It's really not making a difference at all," McCarthy said Thursday, adding that she still hears the noise in her home off Palisade Drive and can feel vibrations.
McCarthy and other residents have called for the scrapyard to be relocated.
"I would really like them to be moved out of here," she said. "I don't want anyone to lose their jobs, I've said that many times before. I want them to keep working."
In an emailed statement, AIM said an unnamed engineering firm will assess the wall's effectiveness. The unattributed statement didn't say how that would be tested.
The company said it then plans to hold an open house.
The approval is one of two issued by provincial departments for the site on Toombs Street, near Moncton's Lewsville neighbourhood.
AIM's salvage dealers licence, issued by the Department of Public Safety, was extended just before the start of the provincial election to the end of June 2025.
That extension came after former Public Safety minister Kris Austin had threatened to suspend or revoke the licence, based on concerns about the scrapyard's location.
The shipping container wall goes around a portion of the site where rail cars are loaded with scrap material. (Ian Bonnell/Radio-Canada)
Austin's extension came with a condition that the scrapyard can't increase the scale of its operation or process scrap from outside New Brunswick.
The Quebec-based company's operations in New Brunswick have been under close scrutiny after a series of explosions, workplace deaths and a massive fire in September 2023 at its Saint John port site.
That fire halted operations at the site and led to increased use of the Moncton plant to ship scrap by rail. AIM acquired the Moncton operation in March 2023.
While concerns about that site pre-date AIM, residents say the level of activity, and therefore noise and other effects, significantly increased under AIM's ownership.
The company was fined $292.50 by the province, in 2023, for operating the site without approval.
In late 2023, inspections by the fire marshal led to an order to reduce the size of scrap piles and implement various fire safety measures, which the province has said it complied with.
AIM has launched several legal challenges against the province related to its Saint John port location.
Moncton council voted Monday to approve a new strategic plan with a reference to concerns about AIM and TransAqua's sewage composting facility in the city's north end.
Under a section about protecting the environment, council voted to add a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and "other forms of pollution," such as noise, odour and dust.
The addition was requested by Coun. Bryan Butler and Deputy Mayor Paulette Thériault.
Butler has pushed for several years for more to be done about a foul smell in Moncton's north end.
"Air and noise, we have another place, AIM on Toombs Street, that's causing a lot of noise," Butler said at a committee meeting Nov. 25.
"If we're going to have a plan going forward, we have to mention the issues the residents are having. In the north end, it's the smell. In the east end, it's the noise."
An update on the TransAqua issue is expected to go to city council Dec. 16.
Almost a year ago the municipality issued a notice to comply with the city's unsightly premises bylaw, demanding it clean up the site and area around a waterway.
In September, councillors were told the city continues to get reports of alleged bylaw violations that were being investigated. No other details were given at the time.
Aloma Jardine, a spokesperson for the city, said Thursday that there are currently no investigations underway but didn't answer if any fines or other measures taken recently.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Amos
This is a comedy Correct???
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
james bolt
Perhaps if they were to enclose the entire site in a dome of shipping containers?
David Amos
Reply to james bolt
Perhaps they should convert the containers into mini homes for the homeless
Daniel Franklin
Special treatment for AIM because they're a corporate citizen. In New Brunswick, no citizens are more important than the corporate ones.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Everybody knows that
Randy Dumont
Caveat emptor, choose your next location more wisely.
David Amos
Reply to Randy Dumont
Who are you referring to?
Ronald Miller
This some how has to be the fault of the previous gov't.
Daniel Franklin
Reply to Ronald Miller
If that's how you feel, nobody can change your mind.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Pot argues with kettle again
John Raymond
LOL everyone in NB is always trying to shut down businesses. I guess you all love being on Unemployment and Welfare. I have yet to ever hear any being happy about any employer down there.
David Amos
Reply to John Raymond
Good point
James Wolf
An economic burden to Canada province doesn't want economic activity in its province.
David Amos
Reply to James Wolf
Par for the course in our Nanny State
Allan Marven
Seems like it's working from here.
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven
I agree
Jack Bell
I built a house next to the ocean and now the ocean waves are hitting against the rock barrier, it's very loud and distracting.
Can we have the government move the ocean for me?
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
No doubt they will throw a lot of taxpayers funds at experts to research your problem but don't expect to see their report
MR Cain
Reply to Jack Bell
Not everyone can be tricked into buying a house on the ocean if they find it loud and distracting.
Garry Mackay
This was a metal recycler long before there were any houses built requiring a noise deflector. When you look at the amount of metal they are taking away for recycling I would suggest they are a necessary part of our disposable way of life. IMO Better recycled than sitting in the woods of NB.
Richard LeBlanc
Reply to Garry Mackay
I don't believe you live within that particular neighbourhood, because since AIM has ramped up their business, the situation has become intolerable. This is heavy industry and bandages won't suffice. The ultimate solution is to relocate to a more appropriate setting like Caledonia industrial park. Isn't the city looking for more residential land on the east side? Two birds with one stone.
Jack Bell
Reply to Richard LeBlanc
"I don't believe you live within that particular neighbourhood, "
Not everyone can be tricked into buying a house that was built next to a metal recycling facility.
David Amos
Reply to Garry Mackay
I wholeheartedly agree and have been saying so for years
MR Cain
Reply to Jack Bell
The operation has significantly increased in intensity. It was not an issue before. The closure of the Saint John site also contributed to the noise and pollution as material has been transported to Moncton.
Graeme Scott
AIM is being allowed to measure the effectiveness of this sound barrier? The seems like a pretty blatant conflict of interest.
David Amos
Reply to Graeme Scott
Methinks you fail to see the humour in this N'esy Pas?
No comments:
Post a Comment