Special issues committee discusses odor problems at Mayfield
A variety of steps to solve the odor problem plaguing Mayfield Dairy were discussed at the Dec. 14 special issues committee.
The residents near the Barber Court dairy and Buffalo Rock soda bottling company have noticed a foul odor coming from the area since early November.
A representative of Jefferson County said testing had been done in the area for hydrogen sulfide, which produces a rotten egg smell, as well as smoke tests to see if the sanitary sewers were leaking. Not all of the tests were complete, but the representative said the levels of hydrogen sulfide were low.
Mike Miller, who works in health and safety, said a current roof renovation project, which includes new air scrubbers, is about 85 percent complete and the whole project should be done by the end of January or beginning of February, depending on when specialized equipment arrives. Residents began noticing the odor around the time that the roof repairs began, and Miller said any smells coming from the dairy plant will "be neutralized 100 percent" once the roof project is complete.
This leaves smells coming from the sanitary sewers, and Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins said he notices the bad smell seems to follow the path of the sewers. Miller said Mayfield plans to do additional odor testing at five manhole grates on the property and Ed Becker, another representative on Mayfield's behalf, said air and liquid samples will be sent to Atlanta for testing. He expects the results back before Christmas.
Miller said he plans to share these results with the county and the city.
Homeowners at the meeting said the smell had improved and was now in a smaller area, but still remained through most of the day.
"I would say that it's just the duration, that it lasts all day," said one resident.
Another at the meeting said the smell is still inside her home at times, but improving outside.
The Jefferson County representative said he plans to speak to residents with odor issues in their homes. He noted that, since the dairy is putting out the same waste products and no work has been done in the sewers in 10 years, the roof project seems to be the only recent change that could have caused the smell.
"I don't think that we can truly figure it out... until the roof is complete," he said.
The county representative also asked residents to track the times during the day when they notice the odor, to help in finding its source.
Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones asked that the committee be given updates regularly, as he doesn't want to wait until the next meeting on Jan. 4.
"We're making progress. I want to keep momentum going," Jones said.
The special issues committee also:
- Heard a sign variance request from the Shrimp Basket at 801 Green Springs, which wants to add an awning advertising their menu items around the restaurant. This technically qualifies as 16 attached signs, with the city ordinance allowing only one. Council members were not pleased with the proposal and recommended that Shrimp Basket representatives bring alternate design options.
- Heard a request to build a monument sign at 800 Green Springs Highway. Dunn Real Estate President Chris Hoyt said the lack of a sign on the property limits visibility, deterring potential retailers. He asked for a sign that is taller and larger in total area than the city ordinance allows, making space for Pep Boys, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Firehouse Subs, Hometown Market and another new retailer to have their logos on the sign. This will be discussed in the next council meeting.
- Carried over discussion of increasing the Homewood Downtown Redevelopment Authority's board of directors to 13 members.
The public safety committee met on Dec. 14 as well. They carried over discussion of coyote problems in the city and traffic issues at the West Oxmoor Road-Huntington Glen intersection.