The possible environmental affects of opening a crematory near homes is expected to be the hot topic of discussion at Monday night's Snellville City Council meeting.

Last month, council members voted to direct City Manager Russell Treadway to research whether there could be any harmful affects from a crematory already under construction at U.S. 78 and Abington Drive.

Treadway plans to give an update Monday to the council and likely to a packed crowd of more than 150 residents. The controversial crematory has been the subject of heated debate during the past two council meetings.

Residents turned out in droves, filling the council chambers to capacity.

Several residents, including a few kids, have publicly spoken about their concerns. They're worried about what they might see, hear, smell or breathe.

Chris Nuzum, owner of Cremation Society of the South, which has locations in Marietta and Stockbridge, has said he would be willing to talk with residents and address their concerns.

Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer said Nuzum is complying with all policies and procedures and shouldn't be discriminated against.

"I've been portrayed as the bad guy, the mean mayor, for wanting the city to follow its procedures," Oberholtzer said.

There are state and federal agencies that protect the environment and that the city has no business butting in, Oberholtzer said. He and Councilman Tod Warner voted against directing the city manager to do his own research.

Councilwoman Kelly Kautz said she is concerned about mercury and other emissions. She successfully lobbied for the study and she plans to bring in her own expert from Kentucky Monday night to speak at the meeting.

The mayor said he's rather be addressing other city issues, including a subdivision sidewalk project that keeps taking the backburner to the crematory controversy. He also said he's skeptical of people who claim to be experts on the adverse affects of crematories.

"I'm not interested in wasting my time on junk science from so-called experts," he said. "I gotta believe if this was a big problem, the federal government would have stopped it."