New Boston police investigated a putrid smell behind Walmart. The smell permeated across 52 and was even detectable in the parking lot of the Lakeside Church.
When the officer arrived, witnesses say he was overwhelmed by the stench.
The officer walked through the field behind Walmart and made another check driving his cruiser around the pond.
Smells wafted throughout the automotive department, nauseating workers and customers.
After checking the area, the officer determined the smell was coming from the garbage dumpsters at Walmart.
Three attempts were made to contact Walmart’s store manager. Each time, we announced ourselves. During one of the calls, we were left on hold for 45 minutes without any response.
Ohio has smell nuisance laws (ORC 3745.15.07). The EPA Act of 1990 permits a municipality to take action in cases where an accumulation of waste produces an odor that constitutes a statutory nuisance. Public health laws can also be used by local authorities to combat smells emanating from food facilities.
