More than a thousand people are expected to receive money from a settlement with Sanimax, a South St. Paul animal rendering plant that neighbors say smells bad enough to make them curl up their noses and close their windows.
"The smell of dead animals is just gross," said Lois Glewwe, a South St. Paul resident and historian. "I think the general community is thrilled that Sanimax … [has] to pay damages."
The class action lawsuit, filed in March 2018 by two South St. Paul residents, accused Sanimax USA of producing "noxious odors" that have "physically invaded" properties near its facility at 505 Hardman Av. The emissions cause damages through "negligence, gross negligence and nuisance," the complaint alleges.
"Sanimax is glad the litigation is behind everyone," Donn Johnson, Sanimax's general manager, said in a statement. "We have been a part of this wonderful community for the past half-century and we remain open to productive community dialogue allowing us to continue for the next half-century."
A settlement agreement reached this month will put $750,000 into a fund to be divided among "qualifying class members," or all households within a 2-mile radius that sent in claim forms. Forms were sent to more than 10,300 homes and more than 1,500 returned them, court documents show. Distributions will be capped at $1,000 per household.
Sanimax must also pay the plaintiffs' attorney costs of about $300,000 and invest at least $450,000 in projects to reduce emissions from the facility.
Patricia Keech and David Newfield, the plaintiffs, will each receive up to $1,500 for their efforts. Keech and Newfield, along with their Minneapolis-based attorney Jeff Storms and attorneys from Detroit-based Liddle & Dubin, were unable to comment because of a confidentiality clause, said Laura Sheets, an attorney with Liddle & Dubin.
Glewwe, who isn't among those who will receive a payout, said the money won't solve the problem: "What are you going to do with a thousand dollars? You still have the smell."
