Rutland Herald
Rutland County Journal, 1-07-03

Typo delays OMYA hearing

PITTSFORD — A typographical error delayed a zoning permit application for almost a month.

About 25 people turned out Monday for a Pittsford Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on OMYA’s application to increase the size of a tailings pile at its Florence plant.

OMYA wants to increase the amount of tailings it dumps in an old quarry. The plan would increase the grade of the pile by 20 to 80 feet in different places. Those numbers were in the documents supporting the permit application, but the application itself was for a 20- to 60-foot grade increase.

OMYA attorney Edward Schwiebert said the discrepancy was due to a typographical error.

The number on the application was also on the warning for the hearing, and ZBA attorney John Liccardi recommended proceeding based on the numbers on the warning or allowing OMYA to withdraw and resubmit. OMYA picked the latter option.

Another hearing couldn’t be scheduled until Feb. 3.

OMYA’s plan has been controversial, with some residents fearing chemicals in the tailings could get into the town water supply.

The project has been approved by the Pittsford Planning Commission and is still undergoing the Act 250 process.