INDEPENDENCE — Town officials have refused to give DoRan SeaPak more time to meet requirements to reduce odors.

Town officials have decided to stop providing sewer and water services to the plant after Dec. 1.

The council's unanimous decision came Tuesday night after 30 months of compromises, extensions and negotiations.

Last month, the council gave the shrimp processing company until Dec. 1 to correct the odor problems and other issues taxing the town’s water treatment plant.

An engineer at the Tuesday meeting, speaking on behalf of DoRan, asked for an extension of several months to build a pond and possibly a dome over the structure, install sophisticated filters and take other steps.

His request met much frustration from Mayor Michael Ragusa, the council and the large group of citizens present.

“I have tried for a long time to deal with this problem which I inherited from the last adminsitration fairly and with compromises and expert opinions from all sources," Ragusa said. "I have also held my tongue because I also live in this neighborhood suffering with the horrible odor and the stink. I am tired of the excuses, being lied to by this company and I am also tired of giving this company suggestions which were ignored from day one.”

Aldermen Larry Cardaronella, Richard Navarra, Louis Joseph and Butch Baham questioned DoRan's latest plan and expressed dissatisfaction about the proposed timeline. Town engineer T.C. Spangler was skeptical as well and said it would be an expensive, enormous project.

Town Maintenance Supervisor John Henson said the town’s waste water plant cannot handle the amount of waste it receives from the plant.

“ I am a very quiet man," said George Capadona, a lifelong resident of the town. "I thought when all of this started I told everybody we need to give the shrimp plant a fair chance. After all of this time, my family is sick, our quality of life has diminished and now the fair chance is over. We have had it. Close that plant now!”

Other residents voiced agreement.