The residents of Westwood Court Mobile Home Park are furious with the Town of Innisfail over its proposed waste transfer facility relocation to a new two-acre site behind their homes.
Residents expressed outrage at the move, saying they were first made aware of the transfer station only two or three weeks ago when a letter arrived stating the position of the mobile park's executive.
“This is a case where the Town of Innisfail did not communicate with the residents of the trailer park regarding the waste transfer station,” said Myrna Kissick, a park resident. “As a matter of fact we don't even know what is really going in behind us.”
Other residents agreed, going as far as to say such a facility should not be located within town limits.
“There should never be a dump in town,” said Kissick. “With what might be coming into the station we could be faced with who knows what.”
Ed and Karen Kaye, who live one block to the west of the proposed facility, spoke to the issues of smell and noise.
“If the transfer site is going to operate, and organic material like trees and shrubs is going to be treated there, the noise will be far more than we have now. This is a peaceful place now. Once the facility is in operation, it won't be. We will lose quality of life,” added Ed. “If we consider the smells that might be coming from the building, this could be disastrous.”
The Kayes said they would “prefer” a location out of town for the facility, which could operate for longer hours and not “in their face”.
“I don't really think the facility is good for the trailer park or community being located in town,” said Blanche Ford, a park resident. “Something like this will affect the resale value of my home if I choose to sell. Resale values will go down for every unit in the park. Who's going to pay for that?”
While Ford, who lives one block away from the trailers closest to the proposed site, was not pleased with the plan, she was also concerned for those who might be forced to live right beside the facility.
“Their quality of life should be the same as ours, but it will not be,” said Ford. “With the businesses beside us, there already is a lot of traffic and noise. This will just make it worse for all of us as the vehicles will drive south through town past my home.”
A five-point plan from administration was passed last April to relocate the current waste transfer facility from the southeast corner of town to the intersection of 57th Avenue and 37th Street. The 2015 budget includes $282,000 earmarked for construction of the new facility.
Town administration will present town council with a full report in 2015 that will include a detailed design of the new waste transfer site and proposals that will address concerns from residents and management.
