Photo by Heather Tressler
From left, Kenneth Krise, John Carson and Janice Garvey, members of the Zoning Hearing Board, approved the application from Paper City Transfer in Johnsonburg yesterday evening for the construction of a new building.

By Heather Tressler

Staff Writer 

The Ridgway Township Zoning Hearing Board heard the request for a special acceptance to an ordinance from Paper City Transfer, a trucking company in Johnsonburg owned by Bill Lenze.
The business is located on Silver Creek Road in an industrial area, but does affect some residents. Robert Steudler and Dave Bianconi, both of Johnsonburg, voiced their concerns of the noise and dust Paper City Transfer produces.
“My concern was the noise from the tub grinder,” Bianconi said. “But what Bill is proposing seems to be an improvement as far as noise and dust as long as it is done the way he says it is.”
Even though Paper City Transfer is a trucking company, they do take hardwood bark from sawmills and grind it down to produce material for landscaping. This process can produce unwanted noise and dust. However, Lenze has taken preventative methods such as planting sound deafening plants and using methods to contain dust. At the meeting last night, Lenze was proposing to erect a building with the adjoining overhead roof to house the entire grinding application. Lenze said the building would be 125 feet in length and 50 feet wide facing Silver Creek Road. He said the larger part of the building would be going towards Johnsonburg. Lenze proposed to remove the tub grinder and replace it with a horizontal grinder. With this transition, the noise pollution would be condensed. Lenze said when completed the the proposed building would house most activities inside. In addition, Lenze said he intends to install extra insulation to heighten the sound deafening and to install more plants. Lenze said operating hours will remain 7 a.m. tol 7 p.m. for loading, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for grinding.
As a result of this project, Lenze said he would be hiring one employee for sure and possibly a second. Lenze and Paper City Transfer currently have 15 employees.
The Zoning Hearing Board approved the application with the stipulations of the previous hearing and the regulations of dust control on a regular basis, sound barriers and for trucks to shut off their engines while loading.
Anyone has 30 days to appeal this decision.