AMSTERDAM, Ohio -- A local landfill may soon be sold, and some people who live near it said they hope big changes are on the way.

Negotiations to sell the APEX Landfill in Jefferson County could be under way as early as next week.

The landfill, which sits in Amsterdam, is described by many residents as giving off a horrible odor.

“It's just unbearable,” said Tom Herzik, who lives in Amsterdam near the landfill.

"It's pretty bad,” said Landon Herzik. “Especially in the summer."

But come Dec. 18, Jefferson County Health Department Administrator Bruce Misselwitz said the APEX Landfill's owner will be negotiating with E.L.S., a company out of New Jersey, for the sale of the facility.

Misselwitz said a sale is not guaranteed, but told NEWS9 that the EPA told him negotiations will take place next week.

This news brought some hope to people who live next to the landfill.

“I hope they get control of the smell more and everything like that,” said Landon Herzik. “But it is a dump, and you can't really do much with it."

The Herzik family lives about a thousand feet from the landfill, and told NEWS9 that if the landfill is sold, they hope changes come along with it.

“Maybe that they follow their regulations a little tighter,” said Tom Herzik. “And maybe not try to, I don't know, bring so much in."

“I lived here my whole life,” said Dona Herzik. “I'm not happy with it. I would just like to see the smell go away."

Back in September, Director of Operations at APEX Steve Callahan told NEWS9 that in the past year, they've spent $1 million and changed their spraying system from a water-based to an oil-based spray to tone down the odor.

But many people who live near the landfill told NEWS9 the smell has stayed the same.

Natalie Pasquarella, NEWS9