NEWBURYPORT — Its significance is unclear, but its presence has been made known.

Earlier this week, a flagpole with a Jolly Roger skull and crossbones flag was put up at the Crow Lane landfill, a source of frustration and anger for the surrounding neighborhood over the last several years.

At-Large Councilor Tom Jones said yesterday he can see the flag from his house and that it was put up following an article in the newspaper reporting that the state Attorney General's office is seeking a contempt order against New Ventures, the owner and operator of the landfill, for failing to meet the terms of a preliminary injunction.

For years, the landfill has caused trouble for the neighborhood. The demolition debris that has been dumped on the landfill often stinks like rotten eggs, and the smell permeates the neighborhood. The injunction was meant to force New Ventures to meet agreed-upon terms to rid the neighborhood of the stench and operate the capping operation in a generally cleaner manner.

William Thibeault, president of New Ventures, said yesterday he had no comment about his Crow Lane landfill.

"I assume it was him (Thibeault). So this is his attitude about contempt," Jones said. "It doesn't look accidental. This is Billy at his best. I think people look at it and they snicker, and then they start thinking about it and they get mad."

Mayor John Moak said he saw the flag yesterday as he dropped off leaves at the compost facility, located next to the landfill.

"I do not know what the significance of it is; I don't know who put it up," Moak said. "It's not on the top of my priority list to deal with right now."

The city has been in legal battles with New Ventures over the Crow Lane landfill for some time.

On Friday, the Attorney General's office requested a contempt order at Suffolk Superior Court. The landfill case was referred to that office by the state Department of Environmental Protection in September, after a notice sent to New Ventures on Aug. 26 by DEP, highlighting 13 violations of the preliminary injunction and ordering the company to comply, was not met.