EMA frustrated by leak
An apparent oil leak has frustrated the Auglaize County Emergency Management Agency’s top official.
EMA Director Troy Anderson told board members at a meeting last week that he is investigating a leak from a trailer near the 100 block of state Route 67 in Uniopolis.
“It’s got a tube running out the backside of the trailer and is dumping what appears to be motor oil,” Anderson said.
Anderson has received complaints over the past few days from ODOT as well as Township trustees and neighbors. Anderson checked the tax maps and said the property was on state right of way.
“I attempted to talk to the guy twice,” Anderson said. “He will not answer the door. The only other thing I can do is send him a letter.”
Anderson said he would be willing to provide absorbent pads to clean up the spill.
In other news reported to the board, Anderson said CERT provided temporary housing assistance after a fire in the St. Johns area earlier in the month.
CERT also recently helped rehouse a homeless person by offering temporary hotel housing and working with WOCAP and other agencies to find affordable housing in the Celina area. An initial housing opportunity for the individual had fallen through. Anderson said there have been more homeless people in the area, some migrating from Fort Wayne and other areas. Anderson said he knows of about 10 homeless individuals in the area. He said this becomes a factor when fire fighters choose whether to fight a fire at an abandoned structure.
Anderson has also been working to fill public information requests from Stantec for a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for the Birch Solar Project. The requests filed are for parcels between West Breese and National roads. Stantec officials are seeking information on fires, spills or other environmentally significant factors like storage tanks. He said Allen County has been filling similar requests.
Lightsource BP has continued to file additional data requests related to their application to the Ohio Power Siting Board from March through June.