SHERBURNE – Tensions ran during a town hall-style meeting on Thursday as residents and planning officials discussed a meat processing plant that’s planned to be built in the Town of Sherburne within the next two years.

More than 100 county residents packed the Sherburne Fire House for the informational Q and A, many of whom could recall the snags – and the smells – of a meat renderings plant in the township 30 years ago.

A pannel of village, town and county officials, alongside representatives of All In Meats, fielded questions and comments. For most residents, smell is what topped a laundry list of worries, as did environmental concerns and the impact a meat processing facility would have on municipal services, businesses, and even property values throughout the village.

All In Meats, Inc., the company behind the proposal, say the USDA federally inspected facility would be a huge opportunity to local farmers and consumers while stimulating the economy. The $20 million project is expected to bring in between 120 and 150 sustainable jobs to the area and provide a cheaper alternative for farmers who might currently pay as much as $75-$150 to transport one head of cattle to large processing plants in Pennsylvania, subsequently driving up product prices.

All In Meats CEO Donald Meeker called the proposal the “perfect opportunity for the heart of farm country.”

“Why Sherburne? Because this area is the perfect target market of opportunity based on the location of where it lies in the state,” he said.

As it pertains to concerns over environmental issues, labor, and day-to-day operations, Meeker said the facility would have strict oversight of multiple state and federal agencies including the USDA, FDA, OSHA, DEC, DOT, DOL and CAFA. And when it comes to the smell, things are different now than they were 40 or 50 years ago, he added.

“It’s a legitimate concern, but there’s a process with certain regulations we have to go through that didn’t use to be there ... (Meat) rendering will be immediately cooled and shipped out.”

Nevertheless, some residents weren’t swayed, arguing that because this would be All In Meats’ first processing facility of the kind, there are still too many unknowns.

“I would encourage you to take a trip to one of those facilities in Pennsylvania and see what it’s like before you make any decisions,” on resident told the pannel.