City attorneys have filed a response to Veolia’s lawsuit saying that it has a duty to protect its residents, even if that means taxing the company's waste transfer station, Evanston Review has reported.

The city's "sharply worded response filed in Cook County Circuit Court Feb. 3, said the Wisconsin-based company’s attempt 'to characterize the city as a villain' that has concocted 'a grand and elaborate scheme' against Veolia 'couldn’t be farther from the truth,'" the article said.

Related video: Sniffing around the Veolia station

This summer, the city fined the company for strong odors emanating from its transfer station. Upset neighbors have been vocal about wanting the company to leave the city and staged a protest in August in opposition to a proposed expansion.

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