Burr Ridge Mayor Orders Pest Control Firm to Remove Stored Chemicals

Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso announced on Friday that OPC Pest Services has been ordered to remove toxic materials from its property at 8238 S. Madison Street. The village issued a cease-and-desist directive following a confirmation from the company's materials consultant.

Grasso stated in a written statement that the consultant called the village on Thursday to verify receipt of the order. The mayor said the village expects the chemicals to be removed by the close of business on Friday.

The dispute originated at a Monday Village Board meeting, where resident Adolph Galinski raised concerns about the company's operations. Galinski reported learning at an earlier Plan Commission session that OPC was already storing the substances on-site.

According to Galinski, village administration officials previously told him that the storage was permitted under established administrative practice and discretion during the permitting process. The company had requested a permit to store the chemicals but had begun the activity before the permit was fully granted.

Grasso said he told Galinski the following day that he would investigate the matter. In his statement, the mayor noted that the OPC representative indicated the firm would consider facility upgrades. Those upgrades would require mixing chemicals at the facility rather than in nearby residential neighborhoods.

The mayor characterized the company's actions as appropriate and responsible in an effort to comply with board concerns. He added that the issue would be revisited at the Plan Commission meeting scheduled for Dec. 7.

Grasso thanked Galinski for bringing the matter to public attention. The mayor cited a frequent comment that public safety is the primary responsibility of government. OPC left a message for comment on Friday but had not responded as of the announcement.