Clean Harbors neighbour said to have rejected ‘insulting’ settlement

A neighbour who is suing Clean Harbors, a Lambton County hazardous waste incinerator and landfill, has reportedly received a cash settlement offer, but has rejected the offer as being "insulting."

Jim Stenton, who is asking the court for $25,000 in his suit, has been quoted as saying he wants the company to be held accountable.

He filed suit on March 30, telling the Superior Court in Sarnia that loss of work due to illness as well as the expense of cleaning his home and loss of enjoyment were key reasons for the action.

Stenton, who is 64, told a local newspaper that the smell from the facility drove him from his home at least three times over a seven-month period.

Stenton has said he is asking for a trial date that would be after the fall harvest, citing witnesses who are farmers and busy in the field.

At the same time, Stenton is said to have told a local newspaper that he will drop the lawsuit if Clean Harbors agrees to improve its monitoring system and complaints process.

For its part, Clean Harbors has said the very small concentrations of compounds that emit an odour in many cases aren't detectable with current technology. At the same time, the company has said it is doing what it can to minimize any smells.

Tags: Clean Harbors, hazardous waste facility, lambton county, settlement rejected