Trains full of trash are stinking up the air in a Manville neighborhood
CSX-owned trains full of trash from New York have been parking for days a time on tracks that sit right behind Manville homes. Neighbors say the stench is unbearable and keeps those who live closest to the rails from spending time outside.
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There’s no landfill located in Manville, but there’s an area that sure does smell like there’s one, due to the trash train that sits for days at a time on local tracks.
On Friday, News 12 found that train sitting right alongside homes on South Weiss Street. Homeowners say the smell actually permeates their houses, adding they can’t spend time outside due to the stench. Some have complained the odor creates headaches and nausea.
The trains usually stay parked for one week at a time before one leaves and is replaced by another. Neighbors can’t understand why the trains stay for so long.
"It smells like trash. Like sewage…a dead animal. "I try my hardest set fly traps to set bug traps not let the dogs out to long because they get bit," said Maribel Restrepo.
“You know how New Jersey summers are the 90’s and 100’s are coming up and the humidity it’s just going to sit that stench and people are going to have to deal with it," said Joe Lukac, Manville Borough Council president.
"We’ve been told it’s a federal problem. We are reaching out to Bonny Watson Coleman’s office and we are reaching out to Sen. Booker's office. They sit for four days in hot weather and the stench down here you, can’t go outside it’s that bad," said Manville Mayor Richard Onderko.
The trains are owned by CSX.
The rail transportation company says it wants to be a good neighbor and expects to move the trains in a few days.
CSX offered the following statement:
"These railcars are part of routine interchange operations at the Manville yard. In recent days, we experienced temporary delays while implementing an operational change in how these shipments are moved through the area. As a result, some railcars remained in place longer than intended.
We understand that extended dwell times, combined with recent heat, may have contributed to odors, and we regret the impact this may have had on nearby residents. CSX is committed to being a good neighbor, and whenever operationally feasible, we strive to limit the impact of our operations on the communities we serve.
We have made operational adjustments and expect normal train movement to resume within the coming days."
