Saugus neighbors air grievances over odor, seagulls

SAUGUS – More than 50 people packed the Town Hall auditorium Monday night for a heated Board of Health meeting over ongoing issues with seagulls and odors residents in attendance say are coming from Rocky Hill Farm in Saugus.Rocky Hill Farm specializes in organic composting, and works with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Agriculture Department to ship in unused produce from area supermarkets to make compost.Bria Circle resident Frank Cambria was chosen to represent residents from the neighborhoods that surround the farm, many of whom were present Monday to air their grievances.?With all due respect, the Health Director of Saugus doesn?t believe the odor or seagulls are coming from that area, and it?s really obvious,” said Cambria. “We have garbage 700 feet from our house. Now where do you think birds are going to go and eat? It?s a banquet. We?re not looking to put anybody out of business. All we want is this problem solved.”Public Health Director Frank Giacalone said he has not seen evidence that the farm is the source of the seagulls or the smell, and noted the farm owners, Fran and Marianne Buzun, had odor issues there two years ago, but a new compost digester helped with the problem.Close to two dozen people spoke Monday, including Andrew Epstein, attorney for the Buzuns.Epstein said the Buzuns are “very sympathetic” to the problem, and agreed to ask them to sit down with four members of the community and a member of the Board of Health to try and come up with a solution.However, Epstein defended his clients, and stated he has never seen evidence of seagulls or smelled any odors when he?s been at the farm.?They don?t want noise or smells or seagulls on their farm any more than you want smells, seagulls or noise in your neighborhood,” said Epstein. “No one has ever contacted them about this problem other than the Board of Health. No one has ever called them ? in a civil manner to try and sit down and solve whatever problem there is.”Board of Health Chairman Joe Vinard said he “feels” the residents? pain, and will do everything he can to solve the issue, including surprise inspections and further investigations of their complaints.Residents will go before the Board of Selectmen tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the issue as well.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].