I have always stated that pain is an amazing motivator. When pain hits one where it hurts (no pun intended), whether it be in the wallet or in the backyard, people stand up to be counted and that has certainly happened in Windham recently.
Isn’t is amazing how fast the word spread of a rock quarry, crusher and cement plant on Windham’s Nash Road? People called friends and neighbors and instantly a new group was formed to combat the quarry. It is the American way and all citizens should watch the proceedings that will occur in the future. I, for one, am proud of how the citizens of Windham are standing up and fighting against this quarry.
Ultimately the decision should be the will of the people.
Having lived near the entrance to a monstrous gravel pit and a cement plant in my hometown, I can certainly testify to the amount of noise, dust and traffic generated by such a business. Neighbors certainly have a right to react and complain about rock crushers and a cement plant in their proximity. When one lives in a residential area of town for the pleasure of being away from noise and traffic, I fully believe that they have a right to be heard. What is especially bothersome to many people is that the news of this quarry was so suddenly sprung on the citizens.
The proposed location for the rock quarry on the Nash Road is especially bothersome. I have heard many reports about accidents at the intersection of Nash Road and Route 302. I believe that heavy trucks turning on and off of Route 302 are going to have serious consequences. Many of us have traveled that intersection and turning onto Route 302 is not especially enjoyable as part of the view is obstructed while vehicles whiz by at 50 mph or more.
God knows what effect on traffic the trucks will have on the Nash Road itself. Just the weight of these vehicles loaded with crushed road or cement certainly have to create traffic problems to say nothing about dust and dirt.
People are also worried about noise from the quarry and the possible contamination or loss of their wells and there is no public water. Who will be financially responsible for all of this if it occurs?
I fully believe that the citizens of Windham must ask its leadership as to why ordinances in this town didn’t prohibit such things as rock crushers or quarries in certain areas. We certainly have heard a lot of discussion about the Comprehensive Master Plan and yet we witness construction of new businesses on Route 302 that continue in the same old manner. It boggles my mind that a fuel depot would be allowed right smack on Route 302 below Foster’s Corner. Shouldn’t that have gone into Windham’s almost totally unused business park on Enterprise Drive?
Another building is being constructed right next to Route 302 near Commons Avenue. Why?
Where is the leadership in the town of Windham on the issue of the rock quarry and the continuing haphazard placement of businesses in this town? I remember one comment by a former councilor several years ago about the appearance of our business district. It was in regard to Windham beginning to look like Route 1 in Scarborough or Falmouth. The shame is that is continues. Remember “if not there, where?”
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