Politics & Government

Town Shuts Wood Chipping Operation; Business Rep Says No Hazard Exists

Temporary restraining order granted after fire on property.

A temporary restraining order enacted Tuesday by the Town of Huntington to shut down a mulching and wood chipping operation in West Huntington is unnecessary, according to a manager at the company.

The move by the town comes one day after a fire broke out in a 25-foot high mulch pile on the property, located at 1130 West Jericho Turnpike. 

The order, signed by a state Supreme Court judge, prevents Big Dougs Enterprises, Indian Head Ranch and Wayne and John Dougal from operating a wood chipping and mulching business at the location.

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Huntington Fire Marshall Paul Latuso issued summonses alleging violation of the state fire code for storing and processing compost and for storage and processing without a required emergency plan, and a third summons for an open burning violation, according to a town press release.

The town is asking for expedited hearings on the summonses by the Suffolk County District Court. 

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dougal's stepson, Eric Murray, a manager at the mulching business, said the fire was unfortunate but no safety hazard exists.

"The tickets would have been enough," said Murray on Wednesday. "There is no danger to the public." 

Unless mitigation of the volume of material is addressed on the property, the hazard that occurred April 2 is likely to occur again, according to Latuso.

Murray said the town halted the company's grinding rights — which does nothing to lessen the volume of material or alleged hazard on the property.

"How is any of this going to disappear into mulch and firewood if we can't do anything with it?" said Murray.

As a result of the temporary shutdown, the family-owned operation is losing business — some of which comes from town employees — according to Murray.  "Today I had to turn away a lot of people," said Murray.

Workers were on the property Wednesday reducing the height of the mulch and wood chip piles.

Seeking to get the business to comply with town and fire codes, the town claims the business has remained open absent proper authorization.

"Such business is conducted in buildings and structures without certificates of occupancy or certificates of permitted use," said James Matthews, counsel to the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals, in an affidavit.

Matthews lists the buildings as including a mobile home, a structure commonly referred to as the Tucson Gardens building, a five-bay cement block building, a steel riding arena and a wood frame barn/stable, according to the town.

"For some time, the town has been awaiting decisions on our requests that a judge order the illegal activity on this property to cease," said Supervisor Frank Petrone in a press release. "We are pleased that Judge Behar agrees with the town that, especially in light of yesterday’s fire and the threat the activity poses to the health and safety of nearby residents, enough is enough."

A hearing regarding the property is scheduled April 5 before State Sureme Court Justice Joseph Farneti.

In recent years, , including citing it for operating a now-closed restaurant without a permit. 

Last year, judges denied two own requests for temporary restraining orders and injunctions to shut down the wood chipping and mulching operation and a horse farm, according to the town. The town is still awaiting a ruling on a permanent request.

According to the town, in January 2011, the Town Board approved the rezoning of the property to allow construction of the Kensington Estates luxury senior housing development. After a delay while the buyer and seller of the property filed the necessary covenants and restrictions, the local law enacting the zone change was filed with the New York Secretary of State on April 1, 2011. The proposal is currently undergoing site plan review by the town.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here