City blames oil spill on illegal dumper

5/11/2004

A hazardous waste contractor was called in yesterday to clean up a minor oil spill in North Toledo allegedly caused by an illegal dumper.

The city division of environmental services called in ERS, of Weston, Ohio, after a man trying to remove a vehicle from city-owned property accidentally punctured a 55-gallon oil drum.

Tom Kroma, city nuisance abatement commissioner, said police had seven vehicles towed away from the city-owned lot at 710 New York Ave. The vehicles included trucks, a trailer, and a bulldozer.

The site is near the Ontario Place Homes housing development planned by NorthRiver Development Corp.

Edward McCoy, Sr., of 801 Eversham Ct., owner of McCoy Demolition and Excavating Co., was cited April 27 for dumping construction waste onto the property, near Manhattan Boulevard.

"He was notified to remove all vehicles from that site, and he failed to do so. The city had them removed today," Mr. Kroma said.

He said the barrel was punctured while Mr. McCoy was trying to remove one of the ve- hicles.

Jeanette Ball, manager of environmental services, said the cost of the cleanup would be billed to Mr. McCoy.