Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990 TAG: 9004040186
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PENHOOK LENGTH: Short
Raven Boatworks Inc., a manufacturer of fiberglass pleasure boats, was indicted Monday by a Franklin County Circuit Court grand jury, according to court papers made public Tuesday.
Raven Boatworks President John D. Doyle could not be reached for comment.
Authorities said chemicals stored in January at the company's nine-acre production facility on Virginia 890 in eastern Franklin County had not posed a health hazard to nearby residents.
Nonetheless, Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood said he hoped the indictment would send a message to other companies that generate hazardous waste.
"I think it's important for us to say that you can't do that," Hapgood said.
Authorities launched their investigation in January after neighbors complained about drums stored haphazardly at the site, which Raven Boatworks recently had converted from a boat sales store into a shop that produced vinyl boat interiors.
Raven Boatworks officials declined to allow authorities onto the property to take samples, according to court records.
Armed with a fire-inspection warrant, authorities inspected the site and took samples from one unmarked drum and drums labeled acetone and polyester, court records show.
State police special agent Cecil Handy declined to name the chemicals found, but said they had "met criteria for hazardous waste."
by CNB