Ellsworth takes composter to court over bad stench

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 17, 2026

Ellsworth is taking a composting company to court after getting repeated complaints over a consistent bad stench emanating from its property on Industrial Road. The city has filed a complaint against Maine Organics in Ellsworth District Court. The city alleges the company violated Ellsworth’s recently adopted odor ordinance on multiple occasions during the summer of 2025. It’s the latest in a years-long saga between Maine Organics, the company’s neighbors and the city’s code enforcement department, who have fielded and issued odor-related complaints and violations against the composting facility.