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HAZLETON — Over 50 residents gathered on Friday in an effort to prevent an automobile shredder from being constructed in Hazle Township.

The group, comprised mostly of residents from Hazle Township and West Hazleton Borough, is known as Citizens Against The Shredder or “CATS.”

They cited several reasons for opposing the $10 million recycling facility being proposed for the Green Ridge section of the township by Harry’s U-Pull It — an automobile scrap yard.

Frank Skokoski, a local attorney who heads the group and owns 10 acres of property adjacent to the proposed project, said noise would be a significant problem should the project move forward.

“Even if the noise level is originally tolerable,” he said, “as equipment ages, it gets noisier and nosier. We’re thinking in the long term.”

Many attendees from West Hazleton also cited traffic as a problem, as automobiles would be transported to the facility through residential borough streets to be shredded.

Of greatest concern, said Skokoski, is environmental contamination.

Attendee and longtime environmental activist Carolyn Martienssen, of West Hazleton, said her research has indicated that many hazardous chemicals used in the manufacturing and maintenance of automobiles would make their way into land, air and water surrounding the project.

“This isn’t just about a limited area,” she said. “This project would affect residents in Hazle Township, West Hazleton and beyond.”

Skokoski spoke about the possibility of explosions and fires during the process, saying “it wouldn’t kill anyone, but, chemicals would be further released into the air.”

“Perhaps we wouldn’t be affected in our generation,” he said. “But it’s really about the kids and future generations.”

Skokoski said the project was in an open area, not an enclosed building, further putting residents at risk. He encouraged attendees to address their concerns on multiple fronts.

“We’re coming at this from the perspective of both land use and zoning,” he said, having filed appeals with both Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas and the township zoning board.

Those gathered said some of their frustration comes from simply not knowing the specifics of the project.

“We don’t know who is funding the project, if it’s Harry’s U-Pull It or a third party,” said Skokoski.

A representative of Harry’s U-Pull-It referred a reporter seeking information on the project earlier Friday to attorney Conrad Falvello, who did not return a call.

Skokoski said the project, which the group’s attorney, Donald Karpovich, said would normally take up to a year to complete, is already underway.

“The Kresses (owners of Harry’s U-Pull-It) think this is a done deal,” Skokoski said. “That’s not so. We’re going to take it to the township, the county, and through the state courts if we have to.”

Skokoski and other attendees said they did not take issue with recycling vehicles, but it should be done in an area zoned as “heavy industrial.”

“The proposed area is zoned for light industrial,” he said. “And it’s not the appropriate place for the project.”

Skokoski said the project would necessitate its own electrical source and water lines, indicating the extensive use of the property.

“No one invests $10 million without expecting to recycle a lot of cars to make money on that investment,” he said.

In addition to filing an appeal with the county taking issue with the decision of the township Board of Supervisors and appealing to the township zoning board, Skokoski has also appealed to state and federal lawmakers and encouraged attendees to do so also.

“I’m not doing this alone,” he said, looking out on those gathered. “We need to do this together.”

Attendee Ann Marie Shelby, of Hazle Township, said looking into similar projects on other areas revealed fires and explosions related to similar shredding equipment.

Skokoski said that at the very worst, he would hope that the efforts of the group resulted in some type of restrictions and controls if the shredding project is ultimately approved.

“At this point, they can operate 24/7,” he said. “At the very least, we want them to be accountable for what goes on.”

In response to Darrin Hayes’ comments that perhaps the project was relatively safe, Skokoski said, “We’re here to discuss issues with people on our side. If you want to discuss the benefits of the project, go have a beer with Harry (Kress).”

The group will take up its cause with the Hazle Township Zoning Board on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.

Attendees were encouraged to have residents of affected areas sign a petition against the construction of the shredder and bring it to that meeting.

Darrin Hayes, 48, of White Haven speaks to attorney Frank J. Skokoski, saying he doesn’t see any concern with a car shredder being constructed at Harry’s U-Pull It in Hazle Township, on Friday evening.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012316shredder1.jpg.optimal.jpgDarrin Hayes, 48, of White Haven speaks to attorney Frank J. Skokoski, saying he doesn’t see any concern with a car shredder being constructed at Harry’s U-Pull It in Hazle Township, on Friday evening.

Attorney Frank J. Sokoski, head of Citizens Against The Shredder, talks to area residents about a car shredder project being planned at Harry’s U-Pull It in Hazle Township on Friday evening.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012316shredder2.jpg.optimal.jpgAttorney Frank J. Sokoski, head of Citizens Against The Shredder, talks to area residents about a car shredder project being planned at Harry’s U-Pull It in Hazle Township on Friday evening.

By Geri Gibbons

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Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.