Long Island Residents Want End To Heavy Cement Truck Traffic Near Concrete Recycling Plants

NORTH HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Long Island residents who live near concrete recycling plants are demanding an end to heavy cement truck traffic and harsh crushing sounds.

The Peralta family told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan they are cutting back their time they spend outside. They live on Grand Boulevard near the industrial park on the New Cassel-Westbury border where concrete recycling plants flourish.

"That's what we are breathing in," Liz Peralta said. "We don't want it to be polluted for ourselves and for our kids."

The Peraltas are concerned about using their backyard pool and barbecue as the grinding, mixing and mashing of cement, and dust particles spew into the air.

CBS2's presence brought out some workers with brooms and another with a hose, but the task seemed challenging.

Isiah Fountain's family lives adjacent to another concrete recycling plant which towers over their local pool and school.

"I have sickle cell, so most of the time I stay in the house," Fountain said.

Church members have also been complaining for years about heavy cement and concrete truck traffic from across the Tri-State rumbling through at all hours.

One plant illegally dumped cement into a storm water pipe, causing flooding that damaged the community center.

Town officials said they have heard enough and have submitted plans to ban the release of concrete into the wastewater stream. They also want to require plants to curtail hours.

"We are asking them to enclose their crushing operations, cover any piles that may produce dust by the pickup of wind and also to control some of the noise with some sound abating measures," said North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell.

Following a public hearing, a vote to regulate the recycling plants is expected Tuesday night.

Some plant owners will attend the hearing, arguing that the plan to put up walls around their facilities would be too expensive.