PALMYRA — A Palmyra man accused of burning tires from their rims to
collect the scrap metal is facing additional charges.

The Maine Forest Service this week issued a summons charging Peter
Judkins, 54, with burning prohibited materials. Rangers last week issued
a summons charging Judkins with burning without a permit for allegedly
operating a tire incineration operation outside his Libby Hill Road
home.

Both summonses carry a potential fine of $100, said Alan Johnston,
regional ranger for the Maine Forest Service.

Judkins was originally warned for burning prohibited. Forest Ranger
Aaron Bailey, who originally visited the site Feb. 27, added the summons
for burning prohibited material after viewing photos taken by a Somerset
County Sheriff's Deputy the night the alleged incinerator operation was
discovered.

"I wasn't able to look at those photos before I went the first time,"
Bailey said. "(Judkins) had cleaned up a lot stuff since the photos were
taken."

The Department of Environmental Protection will visit the site in the
spring after the snow has melted and the ground has thawed enough for
agents to take readings, Johnston said.