Officials attempt to discuss Atlantic Gelatin's emanating foul odor
Published on August 13th, 2008
WOBURN, MA - The Woburn City Council's Liaison Committee will again attempt to clean the air with Kraft Foods officials over a slew of complaints from abutting residents about a foul odor emanating from the Atlantic Gelatin plant in East Woburn.
On Aug. 25, the Aldermen are scheduled to discuss what path of action to take in regards to the odor, which can be regularly detected in East Woburn.
The smell has also troubled citizens in neighboring Stoneham, with some residents from the southern end of town complaining that the air stinks on an almost daily basis.
In July, a contingent of East Woburn residents implored the City Council to intervene, but Mayor Thomas McLaughlin, Health Agent Jack Fralick, and other city officials claimed that they have received "limited cooperation" from Atlantic Gelatin.
During the meeting in July, the City Council voted to refer the matter to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), asking the agency to examine the environment at the plant.
McLaughlin also planned to tap the resources of Kopelman & Paige, P.C. - the law firm that serves the city solicitor's function - in order to examine if there is any legal recourse that Woburn can pursue.
Neighbors in both Stoneham and East Woburn recall that the odor from the plant used to have a pleasant strawberry scent. However, now the outdoor air "smells like dead things", according to one area resident.
According to Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen, she and the health agent have met with Atlantic Gelatin officials, who insisted that they have not changed any of their processes at the plant.
However, according to the Ward 5 Alderman, during a recent visit to the property, it was clear that the Kraft Foods subsidiary was the source of the foul odor.
"You could smell the smell as soon as you walked in the building. It's not anyone's imagination," said Mercer-Bruen, who noted that she and Fralick weren't allowed to walk past the reception desk at the facility.
Last July, The Daily Times and The Stoneham Indpendent made several requests for an interview with Atlantic Gelatin officials.
The initial request was referred to the media relations department at Kraft Foods' Illinois headquarters, but subsequent attempts seeking comment were left unreturned.
The City Council planned to meet with both Fralick and officials from Atlantic Gelatin at the upcoming Liaison Committee meeting, but it is unclear whether representatives from the company will participate in the discussions.
The meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. in Woburn City Hall.
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