Imagine living peacefully in your home for decades, only to have your quiet life shattered by the roar of industrial machinery, the stench of cooking oil, and blinding lights that never dim. That's the nightmare residents of a New Brunswick neighborhood say they've endured since a potato chip factory expanded next door—and now they're fighting back in court.
The lawsuit targets Covered Bridge Potato Chips Ltd., alleging that its Woodstock facility has unleashed a relentless assault on the senses: deafening noise, nauseating industrial odors, and intense lighting that seeps into homes and robs families of comfort. Worse, residents claim the natural tree buffer that once shielded them from the industrial site has been ripped away.
These aren't newcomers complaining about an old factory. Many have lived in the area for over 50 years—generations rooted in a community that existed long before the fryers kicked into high gear. "We lived here peacefully for generations," says resident Melody Hannah. "The unexpected scale and intensity of industrial activity have fundamentally changed daily life for the worse."
At first, residents believed the facility was a temporary fix after a fire destroyed the company's previous operation in Waterville. But the temporary became permanent, and the operation exploded into a high-intensity behemoth, adding a massive 30,000-litre propane tank to fuel extra fry cookers—a chilling safety concern for families nearby.
Frustration boiled over after repeated pleas to municipal and provincial officials fell on deaf ears. "We support economic development," says resident Robert Harrison. "The goal is not to oppose business, but to protect long-established neighborhoods from excessive industrial intrusion. The plant is simply in the wrong place."
The family-run chip company, born from a fourth-generation farm in Hartland, grew from a small potato distribution business in 2004 to a North American brand. But for the people living next door, success has come at a devastating price—and they're determined to reclaim their peace.
