SILVER PLUME — Eben Mond liked living in the small town of Silver Plume until his new neighbor moved in.
“Since then, we have been dealing with emission issues all over town,” Mond said.
Two years ago, a pellet plant operated by New Earth Pellets started up business about 150 yards from Mond’s house. It became Silver Plume’s first real taste of industry in decades.
Mond said he was glad to see a green business come into the small town. But since it started operations, he said, all he hears is the dull roar of wood being processed in the wood chipper.
“From 7 in the morning until 7 at night, they do grinding,” Mond said.
He said a steady powder of sawdust rains onto his yard and roof.
Silver Plume Mayor Earl Ballard said the town and pellet plant have worked together to fix the issues.
Ballard said the plant brings money into town, helping to fix water and sewer lines. The work also has cut up trees killed by beetles, helping to reduce fire danger in the area.
“The people in town need to approach this with a little more understanding,” Ballard said.
Silver Plume is an old mining town and everything is zoned industrial, which is how homes have come to stand next to industrial operations.
Plant owner Rosalie Bianco said the company is spending nearly $300,000 on a quieter chipper and new airlock to keep sawdust from escaping.
Ballard said the work shows Bianco’s intention to be a better neighbor.
But Mond said the issues don’t seem to be improving.
