N.B. regulator to review complaints about noise and odours near potato chips factory
The 17 residents say the Covered Bridge Potato Chips Ltd. plant brings overwhelming smells, constant noise and more traffic to their once-quiet neighbourhood.
A group of 17 residents living near a potato chip factory in New Brunswick are taking legal action against Covered Bridge Potato Chips Ltd. The company claims to be an agricultural operator, which has sparked debate over whether the Farm Practices Review Board has the authority to mediate their complaints. The residents allege that the factory is causing excessive noise, strong odors, and increased traffic, significantly disrupting their once-peaceful neighborhood.
Each resident filed an individual claim with the provincial regulator, alleging ongoing and significant disruptions to their lives. The Farm Practices Review Board, comprised of five individuals with agricultural backgrounds, will review the case and decide whether it has the jurisdiction to mediate the situation. Their chair, Maurice Maillet, stated that a decision will be made in the near future.
Meanwhile, the residents' lawyer, Basile Chiasson, intends to pursue the case in court, arguing that the board lacks jurisdiction. If the residents are successful, they may take their case to the Court of King’s Bench. Last year, the company moved its storage warehouse in Woodstock to a new chip-processing facility after its previous location burned down.
Some residents hope that Covered Bridge, which distributes its chips across North America, will leave Woodstock altogether.
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