Richibucto, N.B. residents suing Coastal Shell Products for smell, noise from facility – New Brunswick | 24CA News
Seven Richibucto, N.B., residents are suing Coastal Shell Products and its homeowners over lack of enjoyment of their property.
Plaintiff JoAnne Robichaud pointed to the scent of rotting, burning shells together with the noise the power produces every night time between 8 p.m. and eight a.m.
“It’s making us feel like prisoners in our own home,” she advised Global News in an interview on Thursday.
She described the sound as being “like a jet engine”.
“I want the company to shut their doors and if going at them financially, when we win, forces them to shut their doors then that will be a big plus,” she stated.
She and 6 different plaintiffs are being represented by The Mike Murphy Law Group.
Mike Murphy declined to remark, however advised Global News in an emailed assertion that the invention portion of the authorized proceedings “is being scheduled very shortly for the near future.”
Robichaud lives in a home along with her 94-year-old mom on Richibucto’s Main road.
She stated her mom can now not use the home’s lined porch to get recent air and watch the birds due to the scent.
“She’s not great at the moment and in the last years of her life, this is not what we want for any of our seniors, any of our family members to have to experience,” she stated.
Fellow plaintiff Claudette Robichaud stated she hardly ever sits outdoors her waterfront property due to the scent and the noise produced.
She stated on some days, the scent from the plant’s operations at night time linger all through the day.
“Some days we’re not able to go outside at all. Not opening any windows, taking a deep breath before you leave the house just to get into the car and get away,” she stated.
She stated she and her husband usually want to remain at her sister’s cottage with a purpose to get a break.
A life-long Richibucto resident, Robichaud regarded into making the “heartbreaking” choice to promote her home and go away in 2021.
She stated a realtor advised her the home would take a very long time to promote and would probably promote for lower than it’s worth as a result of it was positioned roughly 400 metres from the Coastal Shell facility.
She stated it’s presently valued at $400,000 and the realtor advised her it could probably solely promote for roughly half of that.
She determined to remain in the neighborhood the place she grew up.
“I can’t allow an industry to dictate my life. I want to stay, and I will stay.”
Residents had a two-day reprieve from the scent and noise final Thursday and Friday, after the provincial authorities ordered Coastal Shell to close down operations after an inspector discovered that they had improperly saved shells.
Maisie Rae MacNaughton of the Kent Clean Air Action Committee (KCAAC) stated whereas it was disappointing the closure wasn’t everlasting, she was inspired by it.
“It has proven that Department of Environment (and local government) can order a cease of operations if there is an infraction,” MacNaughton stated.
She stated KCAAC argues the power is in fixed violation of the province’s Clean Air Act.
While KCAAC isn’t concerned within the lawsuit, MacNaughton stated the group was completely happy about it.
“I am hopeful that the lawsuits will continue to pressure Coastal Shell Products to do the right thing. It’s obvious from all of the avenues that we have taken we’re putting pressure on all sides. So I’m hopeful that something soon is going to give,” she stated.
Global News reached out to Coastal Shell Products on Thursday, and didn’t hear again in time for deadline.
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