Residents raising illegal dumping concerns in Jenkins Township
JENKINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are concerns and frustration Wednesday from people in a Luzerne County community over dumping incidents in their town.
28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli was at a meeting tonight in Jenkins Township where those concerns continued to rise.
In a regularly scheduled monthly meeting Tuesday, Jenkins Township residents brought forward concerns about material that’s been dumped in certain sections of Old Boston Road, claiming officials aren’t doing enough about it. Township supervisors say they have taken action.
“I’ve complained to you for two years,” said Mike Dubek of Jenkins Township.
Dudek expressed frustration ahead of the Jenkins Township Supervisors Wednesday evening regarding illegal dumping taking place in his neighborhood.
He says the most recent dumping was of a de-constructed home that took place on March 7 on Old Boston Road by J. Medina Construction.
“My biggest frustration is that this went on too long and it’s happening again in the same town,” Dudek added.
He claims dumping along Industrial Drive by Zomerfeld’s hauling has been going on since 2021.
“These wetlands shouldn’t have been touched. These trees shouldn’t have been cut down like they’ve been cut down and the water shouldn’t have been diverted the way that it’s been,” Dudek continued.
He’s concerned these changes to the land on the industrial drive could have a lasting impact and not enough is being done to stop it.
“It hasn’t been good at all. All that it seems is I’m getting the run around I’m not getting straight answers,” Dudek stated.
Jenkins Township supervisors at Wednesday’s meeting say Zomerfelds has been penalized for the dumping violation.
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As for the most recent home disposal, supervisors say they found out about it the other day and stopped it in the process.
Supervisors did say they received four complaints regarding the dumping and said in a statement to 28/22 News.
When we are informed of illegal dumping, we stop it immediately. The dumping is then reported to the proper state or county officials.
Jenkins Township Supervisors.
An official with Zomerfeld was in attendance at the meeting but declined to comment on the situation.
28/22 News reached out to the Department of Environmental Protection, officials told me they were unaware of the dumping situation on Old Boston Road and did not further comment.
Galli also reached out to J. Medina Construction, who was willing to provide a statement but has not yet heard back.
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