Moncton scrapyard neighbour says noise barrier plan is a joke
Sea-container wall part of mitigation plan needed for AIM's operating approval
A woman who lives near the American Iron and Metal scrapyard in Moncton says a plan to build a wall out of shipping containers as a sound barrier is foolish.
"I think that's just ridiculous," said JoAnn McCarthy, who is part of a group protesting the company's activities in her neighbourhood.
"If it helps with the noise here, it's going to make it worse for other people in the area," she said.
"It's a waste of money … time."
After complaints over the past year, city staff told council this week that a permit has been issued for a wall that could be up to 8.5 metres tall.
It's part of a mitigation plan required in order for the company to continue operating beyond November.
AIM is about 150 metres from McCarthy's backyard. It generates loud bangs that startle her, shake her windows, floors and sofa and prevent her from enjoying her yard, five-and-a-half days a week, she said.
Putting up a stack of metal containers would only deflect more noise toward other surrounding residential neighbourhoods that are already being affected, said McCarthy, listing Sunny Brae, Humphrey and Lewisville.
People who live as far as two kilometres away are already part of the protest group, she said.
"I was up on Shediac Road yesterday, and I could hear them up there. So I mean, this is hundreds and hundreds of houses and people that are being disturbed by this one company. It doesn't make sense to me at all."
"They're in our neighbourhood. It's had a huge effect."
The seismic-type vibrations are worse than just "noise," said McCarthy.
And a wall wouldn't address concerns about pollution in the air or in Humphry Brook either, she added.
CBC News contacted the departments of Environment and Public Safety to find out what they know about whether those concerns are justified, as well as what, if any, other mitigation measures may be planned in addition to the wall.
Government spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane replied with an emailed statement.
"The plan was designed by a consultant with expertise in noise and vibration control following a noise assessment of the facility," the statement said. "Any questions on the effectiveness of the plan should be directed to the consultant."
A spokesperson for the City of Moncton said its role in the wall plan was only to issue a building permit.
An emailed statement from Isabelle LeBlanc indicated the wall was one recommendation in a Noise and Vibration Assessment Study and Plan, developed by a consultant for the property owner, as required by the provincial government.
A lawyer for AIM said the company had no comment at this time.
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin has threatened to revoke AIM's licence for the Moncton scrapyard.
The only solution McCarthy sees is a shutdown and relocation.
"I think that the only way is have their licence revoked and have them move to a more appropriate place," she said. "I don't know why they want to be here when they're having so many hassles."
McCarthy said she's been in touch with all of her political representatives about the issue.
Members of the protest group have sent "thousands" of emails about it, she said.
They staged one demonstration and are planning another soon, she said.
McCarthy said she had minor issues with the previous business that operated on the AIM property, Tri-Province Enterprises.
"But they were small and local and we could deal with them," she said.
For example, when she complained that a light was shining into her room, they painted over half of it to more narrowly direct the light to their own property.
"These guys aren't doing that," said McCarthy. "They barely answer the phone when you call to complain.
"It's really like they have the upper hand. They can make our lives miserable and they do. … It's just a constant nuisance."
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With files from Katelin Belliveau