Long Island Residents Battle Foul Odor from Calverton Compost Site

Community Outcry Over Compost Odor

• 🏘️ Residents in Calverton, Long Island, are experiencing an awful odor attributed to a compost site on a local tree farm.
• 😷 The smell is described as unbearable, forcing homeowners to stay indoors and causing physical discomfort like itchy throats and irritated eyes.

Concerns Over Compost Contents

• 🚚 Trucks are dumping large piles of compost on a 43-acre property originally known as Warner Trees.
• 🧪 Neighbors suspect the material is not purely organic, with one resident stating it smells like chemicals rather than compost.
• ⚠️ Concerns are heightened for vulnerable individuals, such as a granddaughter with cystic fibrosis who experienced breathing difficulties potentially linked to the odor.

Impact on Animals and Environment

• 🐎 The odor is also affecting local wildlife, with one resident reporting their horse's eyes becoming teary.
• 🌳 The property, purchased nearly two years ago, is now covered in scattered piles of compost.

Official Actions and Owner's Defense

• 📝 Following neighborhood petitions and complaints, the town of Riverhead issued a stop work order and multiple violations.
• 🚫 Violations include littering, importation without permits, and misuse of land.
• 🗣️ The owner's attorney attributes the odor to a nearby recycling facility fire and states tree plantings are scheduled for later in the year.
• ✅ While the situation has reportedly improved in the last month, residents still seek a resolution to the unbearable conditions.