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Last updated on Tuesday, October 20, 2015
(BLOOMINGTON) - Monroe County has agreed to purchase property across from the former county landfill on Anderson Road from its owner, who says the landfill contaminated his property — despite both the county and Solid Waste Management District saying there is no evidence to support that claim.
The county commissioners approved a resolution to pay $84,000 for property owned by John Oakley, which will settle a lawsuit brought by Oakley.
According to court documents, attorney David McCrea filed a complaint in November 2014 on behalf of Oakley, who took over the estate from his mother after she died. The lawsuit claimed that methane gas and other hazardous materials from the closed landfill made the property unmarketable and a risk to health and quality of life.
According to County attorney David Schilling the county's portion is $25,000, and the remaining $59,000 will be paid by the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District or its insurance company.
Schilling says while the county was not negligent and the county did not find evidence supporting contamination, officials decided it was better it would be better to cheaper to purchase the property and move on then continue the law suit.
He added the county may even be able to recoup $10,000 of its cost through insurance.
The property will be turned over to the waste management district.
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