More noise tests for Mega Shredder; neighbors growing impatient

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Another round of noise tests began Monday, Dec. 3, 2007 at the Mega Shredder in Elkhart. A test last month showed the metal shredding plant exceeded the city's noise ordinance. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Dec 3, 2007 at 6:03 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 11, 2008 at 2:41 PM EST

(WSBT) Another round of noise tests began Monday at the Mega Shredder in Elkhart. A test last month showed the metal shredding plant exceeded the city's noise ordinance.

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The company was given time to solve the problem. But neighbors want it solved now.

Perry Kirkendall lives a little more than a block from the Mega Shredder in Elkhart. He says the noise level from the operation remains pretty constant throughout the day, and adds that even with the completion of the first round of tests, he has not noticed the noise level going down.

"As of right now, there is no way that I think that this noise is going to get resolved,” he told WSBT News. “I think it is going to continue because of the machine — it’s just too powerful — it is never going to get resolved, in my opinion."

Neighbors say they are very interested in having all of their concerns about noise issues resolved, but say concerns about it don't end there.

They'd also like to see an end to the explosions that take place at the plant site.

“No matter what happens with the outcome of noise testing, no matter what happens with the outcome of the air quality testing, the explosions continue and that has to be dealt with,” said neighbor Darrin Synder-Belousek. “And nothing the city or the company has done so far has done anything to really abate that problem.”

The city is confidant that Sturgis Iron and Metal, which owns the Mega Shredder, will overcome the problems.

“We have the largest shredder in the world, they tell me, and therefore they have got to figure out how to make it as effective and peaceful a part of our community as possible,” said Elkhart’s Mayor David Miller. “So they are learning as we are learning, and they're adjusting as we're adjusting."

Results from air quality studies and odor tests will be released Thursday.

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