Tunbridge
The Vermont Natural Resources Board and ANR in the fall of 2013 and early 2014 inspected the business’ property along Route 110 in Tunbridge and another related property in Sharon, according to a Thursday news release. At both properties, state officials found active salvage yards that lacked permits, and also saw, they said, “dozens of car batteries stored on bare ground and an active release to the environment of used automotive oil.”
Vermont ANR in 2016 went to state Environmental Court to compel the business to cease operations and clean up the waste, and the two parties in 2017 reached a settlement that involved a $25,000 fine, the release said.
Kyle Blakeman, the owner, on Thursday denied that his business had mishandled hazardous waste.
“Absolutely not,” he said in a telephone interview. “I got a fine for not having any junkyard permit. … There’s no hazardous materials here.”
Blakeman added that he was trying to do right by state regulators and his community.
“I’m paying the fine,” he said. “I’m not fighting it. I’m trying to stay on everybody’s good side … I’m trying to do everything right.”
In addition to the fine, Blakeman’s business must pay the Natural Resources Board’s enforcement costs, according to the release. The towing company also is required to cease salvage yard operations until necessary permits and compliance with other regulations are in order.