A second Hennessey company, Sooner Solid Solutions LLC, has filed for a state permit as part of a proposed solid waste dump northeast of town, Mike Maly said at the Thursday night meeting of the town trustees.

That state permit is with the Department of Environmental Quality, said Maly, who is among several neighbors and others in town who are against the waste dump.

Mayor Randy Bohnstedt asked Maly for an update after an executive session to hire Michael Boose, an Oklahoma City attorney, to represent the town against the site owners, fell through because Boose was unable to attend the meeting.

Two Companies Involved

“The main thing that everyone needs to understand is that there are two entities that we’re having to look at and having to watch right now,” Maly told the board.

“So, Sooner Solids is with the DEQ. That’s for the solids part. And the Centennial Company is with the pits and the items or material that’s going to be going into the pits.”

The town has joined landowners in protesting the Sooner facility and had earlier protested a Centennial Solids Control LLC application with the state Corporation Commission as the operator of a commercial pit located 2.3 miles northeast of Hennessey instead of the 3 miles from a town as required by law.

DEQ Meeting in Hennessey

“Also, we’ve made an official request to DEQ for a meeting here in Hennessy,” Maly said. “So that will be an informational meeting. It’s not a time for a protest. It’s not time to try and convince them to do otherwise. They are just going to explain their process and the timing and everything that goes on.”

Corporation Commission Update

Maloy provided further information.

“Since the last meeting here, which opposed the application, there was a scheduled Oct. 21 meeting for the approval, or disapproval, of the Centennial Solids application. That was, of course, with our protest from both the citizens, a lot of them here tonight, and from the town, that was delayed, or put off for the next month into November.

“When the November date rolled around, then it was also deferred to a December date just for discussion, but no action.

“So from the OCC side of things, nothing has happened,” added Maly.

“It’s all on hold right now,” he said, “but then going up next is for a hearing, a true hearing, the pros and cons. There’s no date yet; no firm date set for that.”

Senator Hall Unable to Attend

State Senator Chuck Hall was unable to attend the Thursday night meeting, but Grant Chaney from his office represented the senator at this week’s town meeting.

Also, the senator sent these comments to the Times & Free Press: “I first received information about the proposed application to develop a waste processing facility about 30 days ago when several constituents from my senate district reach out with their concerns.

“I immediately began a fact-finding mission by reaching out directly to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, with a goal of identifying protest and/or objection procedures that I could share with my constituents. Process and proper notification are important.

“While I know very little about the group who is requesting the permit, I share the concerns of many who are questioning certain variances needed to complete the approval.

“I believe the community is entitled to a clear and concise explanation of facts. I’m proud that a sizable group has stood up to demand just that. I will do everything I can to see that they get the information needed.”

In The Audience

There were more than 20 in the audience and not all signed in.

There were also several members from a Hennessey county extension club in attendance: Mike Sparks, Margie McConnell, David Matousek, Richard Shimanek, Denise Shimanek, Tim Riddle, Kathy Patocka, Margie Patocka, Edward Mach, Chris Stewart, Jayne Stewart, Nelda Ream, Cole Ream, Brad Moore, Anne Casey Jones, Dot Miller, Doyle Miller, Ashley Zielny and Tim Hopkins.

At the Board and Staff Tables

Town trustees at the meeting were Bohnstedt, David Jones, Bert Gritz and Harold Shaw. Absent was Vice Mayor Jon Peach.

Staff at the meeting were Town Administrator Tiffany Rowen, Town Clerk Shelley Burch and Town Treasurer Kelley Vaverka. Absent were Town Attorney Jared Harrison and Public Works Director Alyssa Kubat.