Holley board fines Diaz Chemical

It was unanimously decided by Village of Holley board members to fine Diaz Chemical $17,000 for 17 violations under its waste water permit with the village.

"The violations are separate from the January 5, 2001 chemical release," Mayor Dan Schiavone said. "We're talking about actual releases into the village's sewer system on 17 separate occasions."

Diaz has a permit that spells out what limits of chemicals they cannot exceed as discharges into the sewer system, Schiavone said. "It's not always the same chemicals and it hasn't been every month ... but it's a frequent violation."

Schiavone said he and the deputy mayor discussed with Diaz officials last spring regarding the issue. "We asked them why they have such excessive releases and informed them they had to get it under control," he said. "We will not tolerate breaches of the permit."

They were unable to get it under control, he said, hence, the fines.

Schiavone said Diaz's chemical releases could jeopardize the village's permit with the Department of Environmental Conservation. "Their releases could cause excessive releases from our sewage treatment plant into Sandy Creek," he explained.

It is hoped the fine will compel Diaz to control their emissions. "It hasn't happened yet and now it's important for us to protect the village ... and the environment," Schiavone said.