Meeting Turns Explosive As Board Says No Further Testing Needed At Tuckahoe Marriott Site
TUCKAHOE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A town hall meeting in Tuckahoe turned explosive on Thursday night, as residents say they are terrified by the city's plan to build a Marriott Hotel on a site they claim is toxic.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, sparks flew, fingers were pointed, and blood was boiling as the Tuckahoe planning board declared a full environmental impact study isn't necessary to build a Marriott hotel on an old marble quarry that was once used as a dumping site.
"We are scared for the dust and of the vapors that will come into the air," Jessica Cioffoletti said.
To hammer home the point residents wore masks while they marched before a fiery meeting.
"The exposures and levels they're going to be exposed to, we don't even know," Mary Anna Principe said.
Environmental attorney Linda Shaw said the developer went above and beyond in testing the landfill.
"I have (seen this kind of pushback) but not frankly, for a site that has this little contamination," she said.
Shaw insisted the site isn't as toxic as everyone thinks, and what's underground isn't a real threat when covered.
"Mostly ash material, garbage," she said.
Back inside the booing, yelling, and tears made it clear that the families weren't buying it.
Developers said there will be six more weeks of soil and ground water testing. Without an environmental impact statement there's little hope of convincing the crowd to get on board.