The system will be constructed and paid for by Advanced Disposal Systems (ADS) and is in response to an order from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency demanding the testing system for air quality near the ADS-owned Arbor Hills landfill.
The school is within a mile of the
The structure is expected to cost about $10,000 and must continue to operate for a minimum of five years, according to the federal agency. It will be shielded by a 10-foot fence according to current plans and the system will monitor for Sulfur Dioxide in the air. The EPA has also required the testing be performed by a third party and that real-time results must be available to the public as a further condition imposed by the agency.
School board president Matthew Wilk noted that the district is not a party to the agreement between the landfill owner and the federal agency. He added that he was concerned that circumstances could change during the five-year arrangement and the district might want to cancel the agreement allowing the air testing system on the school property.
Board trustee Angela Jaafar said the testing of the air quality at Ridge Wood was long overdue and that parents have been asking for a monitoring system for several months. She said the odors from the landfill have been a concern for parents of students at the school.
The system will be installed on the east side of the school parking
