Rutland Herald

Wallingford to study quarry impact

April 6, 2000
By SANDI SWITZER Herald Correspondent

WALLINGFORD - Selectman Ed Crelin will head up a task force to study the potential impacts of a proposed quarry operation in neighboring Danby.

The task force will examine what impact OMYA's proposal could have on Wallingford roads, businesses and residents.

OMYA Inc. has plans to begin mining operations at the Jobe Phillips Quarry near the Danby Four Corners area, and wants to truck the marble ore to a processing plant in Florence.

The proposed haul route would have loaded, 76,000-pound, five-axle, 18-wheel trucks travel from Danby through Tinmouth to Route 140 into Wallingford, and then head north on Route 7.

"They want to move fast so we should really get together and try to get some discussions going," Crelin said at a recent meeting.

Selectwoman Diane Colvin suggested a number of options to increase traffic safety. These included designating an in-town truck route and widening sections of roads by removing utility poles.

"I can't see facilitating this thing," said Select Board Chairman Chris Dinnan.

Marshall Squier, chairman of the Tinmouth Planning Commission, told Wallingford officials that OMYA wants to open the quarry this fall.

"They're in a hurry and they don't want to spend a lot of time with alternate routes," he said.

Squier added that a company proposal calls for a maximum of 40 round trips a day, but permits could easily be amended to increase that number.

He said Tinmouth officials are considering a regional meeting so surrounding towns can discuss a course of action.

"People in Middletown, Pawlet and Ira are becoming concerned they might be a truck route," Squier said.

Crelin said the Wallingford task force will meet later this week, and invited Squier and Tinmouth Selectman Caleb Scott to attend.

"It seems they are in a bit of a hurry," Crelin said.

"I think being in a hurry is part of their strategy," Dinnan responded.

Other members of the task force include Prudential Committee member John Perry, Recreation Committee member William Lohsen and Road Commissioner Jay Johnstone.

Scott invited the Wallingford board to attend an open meeting between the Tinmouth Select Board and OMYA officials on April 13.

"It's open to the whole town, and they're going to be big targets," he said.

In other Select Board business, officials agreed to send a letter to the Prudential Committee, asking that a 6-foot chain link fence be installed around a pump station located near town recreational facilities.

Lohsen said the recreational committee identified a number of safety concerns after inspecting the structure.

Electrical switches, a 100-gallon gas tank, a 6-inch discharge line and a vent pipe should be enclosed to prevent accidents from occurring, he said.

The board agreed to send the Prudential Committee a letter outlining safety issues and ask for the fence.

"It would be in their best interest, not only for lawsuits, but to keep the equipment safe," Crelin said.