A line of trucks dumping fill at the former New Jersey Zinc West Plant last week sparked the online ire of residents whose town sits adjacent to the site.

It wasn’t a novel sight. For years, Palmerton locals have watched overweight dump trucks rush through the town, hauling with them bed loads of “fill,” defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as “soil, rock, stone, gravel, used asphalt, brick, block or concrete from construction and demolition activities,” or “dredged material.”

But for those who caught a glimpse of the 40-odd long line of lorries driving single file near the abandoned factory off Route 248, it was a tiring one.

Some borough streets, like Mauch Chunk Road, have sustained damage from the trucks, which have also been cited by Palmerton police in the past for speeding.

Last month, a truck driver crashed in Lehigh Township after unloading a haul of fill in Palmerton.

The rubble being transported is supposed to level the land, poising it to house the forthcoming Northface Industrial Complex, the project’s developer, Phase III Environmental, has said.

In the meantime, two residents approached Palmerton officials Thursday night, asking what can be done to address the issues at hand.

“I’d just like some answers,” Rhonda Spadell told Palmerton Borough Council at its most recent meeting.

Spadell was the only resident present Thursday to raise an issue about the trucks, with the exception of her husband, Robert Spadell. She has lived on Mauch Chunk Road for more than 40 years, but said she’s not sure if she still considers it home.

“I’m at a point where I’m either going to remodel my house, or I’m going to move,” she said. “I’m stuck. I don’t want to put money into a house on Mauch Chunk Road right now.”

Councilman Kris Hoffner first applauded residents’ patience with the Northface project before saying Palmerton officials have exhausted their options when it comes to regulating it.

“I’m surprised you and half the people on Mauch Chunk Road haven’t been here nine years ago,” Hoffner said.

“This is an ongoing problem, and we as council, quite frankly, have done everything that we can possibly do,” he said.

George Petrole, chief operations officer behind the Northface development, declined to comment on Friday.

Donna McGarry, Palmerton manager, said she sent DEP a letter in December, petitioning the agency to make Phase III address issues, like damage to Mauch Chunk, before renewing its National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System permit.

McGarry also told the Spadells that Community Development Block Grant funds from 2018 have already been diverted to bankroll improvements to Mauch Chunk’s north side.

But Palmerton Borough Council, its members said, can’t test fill being brought in, or ensure what’s in it. Council doesn’t know when the fill portion of the project will conclude.

Beyond bringing concerns up with Phase III and Petrole, or complaining to DEP, the body said its hands are tied.

“What can we do as citizens?” Robert Spadell asked.

Hoffner had a definitive answer for that: Contact DEP and state politicians.

“I would be calling DEP,” he replied. “I would be calling your state representative, Doyle Heffley. I would be calling your state senator, John Yudichak.”

McGarry added residents might also want to get in touch with the Carbon Conservation District, which has a delegation agreement with DEP.

In case you want to take Palmerton Council up on its advice:

State Rep. Doyle Heffley’s Weissport office can be reached at 610-377-6363.

State Sen. John Yudichak’s Jim Thorpe office can be reached at 570-325-3274. In Harrisburg, Yudichak’s office number is 717-787-7105.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser’s Lehighton office can be reached at 610-377-6363. In Washington, D.C., Meuser’s office number is 202-225-6511.

The contact number for Carbon’s conservation district is 610-377-4894.

And DEP’s northeast regional office can be reached at 570-826-2511.