COCI's clean-up efforts underway.
PHILIPSBURG--At least two businesses operating along Ring Road were forced to close on Wednesday after rotten meat allegedly removed from a Carnival booth container that had been causing a foul stench for days was allegedly dumped into the Pond on Tuesday night, creating an unbearable odor throughout the area.
The incident has also prompted action by the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI), which removed the container from its Pelican Park property, cleaned and sanitised the area and announced stricter measures governing the use of its property.
One of the affected businesses had been attempting to lodge complaints since Friday about a strong smell coming from a large container parked near its establishment, but said it was unable to reach the telephone numbers provided for the Health Inspectorate. The container reportedly operated as Clo's Hot Spot, Booth No. 1 on Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill Road), during Carnival and was left in the area afterward with meat still inside. Carnival ended on May 3.
The meat had apparently been stored in a freezer connected to a power source from a nearby establishment, but the electricity was reportedly disconnected after payment was not made for the power used. As a result, the meat spoiled and began decomposing, creating an increasingly offensive odour that lingered in the area for several days.
According to one of the affected businesses, the situation worsened Tuesday night when the spoiled meat was apparently removed from the container and allegedly dumped into the Pond.
“The Daily Herald” understands that it is being claimed that the spoiled meat had been bagged and left to be picked up for disposal. However, a witness reportedly saw the meat being dumped into the pond.
Videos circulating on social media show rotted meat, including decomposing chicken wings, ribs and whole chickens, floating in the pond. A separate video shows flies swarming around the container that had become one of the sources of the odour.
The alleged dumping created an even stronger stench throughout the area, forcing at least two businesses to close because the odour could no longer be tolerated.
One affected restaurant owner who arrived at work Wednesday morning said the smell was so overwhelming that operating the business was impossible, forcing the establishment to close for the day.
Several customers attempted to contact authorities about the situation. A call was eventually made to emergency services through 911 to alert authorities to the matter.
Meanwhile, COCI said in a press release that it first became aware of the situation through reports circulating on social media, which raised concerns about the condition of the container and the potential public health and environmental impact on the surrounding area.
According to COCI, the container had been placed on Pelican Park property without the knowledge or permission of the Chamber. Upon learning of the severity of the matter, COCI said it immediately contacted the owner of the container and requested that the responsible party remove the container and clean the affected area.
While efforts were made to have the owner resolve the situation, the Chamber said it ultimately took responsibility for ensuring that the area was properly cleaned and sanitised in order to protect public health, preserve the environment and maintain the integrity of the Pelican Park property.
Several persons described the situation as prolonged, unacceptable and unhealthy, questioning why the container remained in the area for so long while the meat continued to rot.
COCI announced that it will be enforcing stricter measures regarding the use of its property. Effective immediately, any containers, equipment, vehicles, materials or other items placed on Pelican Park property without the Chamber's express authorisation will be subject to immediate removal at the owner's expense, where applicable.
The Chamber also stressed that no individual, business, organisation or third party has the authority to grant permission for the placement of any object on Pelican Park property. Only COCI may authorise the use of the property.
COCI said it remains committed to maintaining a safe, clean and orderly environment for the business community and the public and thanked stakeholders for respecting the property's rules and requirements.
