By Leonard Sparks

Published: 2:00 AM - 07/12/12

LIBERTY A group of Town of Liberty property owners continued its campaign to derail a metal-recycling project on Tuesday, clashing with other residents and town officials who say the project promises much-needed jobs.

Youngs Hill Road homeowners Jeffrey Cohen and Howard Perez took turns criticizing Owego-based Ben Weitsman and Son Inc.'s plans to build a recycling facility on Sheehan Road off Exit 99 of Route 17. Both have also joined two other property owners in filing suit to have a judge overturn a Town Board approved zoning change they claim was done to directly benefit Ben Weitsman and Son Inc.

"I never say something smells funny, but something smells funny," Cohen said.

Ben Weitsman's plan calls for construction of a facility on Sheehan Road. Up to 20 people would be hired to prepare metals for daily shipping to the company's shredding operation in Owego. No shredding will take place in Liberty, owner Adam Weitsman said. And the plans call for new brick buildings, paved parking and landscaping, he said.

"I understand the public but the public's never seen a scrap yard like ours," Weitsman said.

The recycling facility would be located in a six-parcel area that was zoned residential under a revised zoning map approved by the town in 2011.

Town officials said a zoning review committee had intended to zone the parcels as industrial. The Town Board approved a local law in December, "correcting" what it said was a mistake after the recycler showed interest in the land.

"That strip of land is not suitable for much else," Liberty Supervisor Charlie Barbuti told the Planning Board Tuesday.

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Liberty homeowners suspicious of project