Gorham residents had many questions for the planning board last night (Jan. 8) about a stone quarry and asphalt plant proposed for a Mosher Road industrial site.
Susan Robie, chairwoman of the planning board, told a large turnout that the board’s job is to review the application submitted by Shaw Brothers Construction to see whether it meets ordinances. “If it does, there’s no choice but to approve it,” Robie said.
The construction company is seeking approval for a multi-million project, which includes a 60-acre quarry and a $3 million portable asphalt plant. A $10 million permanent plant would ultimately replace the plant.
The project would be built on a 125-acre site the construction company bought from LaChance Brick Company.
Danny Shaw, who co-owns the construction company, introduced the project to the board and the public. Shaw said the project would be clean and wouldn’t put out a lot of emissions. “We want to be good neighbors,” Shaw said.
Deb Cassidy of Gateway Commons, a housing development near the proposal, described the area now as pastoral and she said a quarry is a noisy process and also raised health concerns. “The question is what is safe?” Cassidy asked.
Dave Dixon, an air quality engineer hired by the construction company, said the project would require a license by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “I think this project is protective of air quality,” said Dixon, who worked 18 years for the DEP.
Opponents of the project produced a flyer last fall that said the plant would emit sulphur dioxide; nitrogen oxides; carbon monoxides and dioxides; hydrocarbons; arsenic; benzene; formaldehyde and cadmium. Dixon said many other things emit those same substances. “So does your home furnace, your automobile,” Dixon said.
Dixon said emissions from the plant would be less than those at the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine. He said the asphalt plant would perform “far better” than the limits in the Gorham site location ordinance. He said emissions would be 10 times lower than the limit.
John Stewart of Mosher Road lives a mile from the proposal. Stewart questioned traffic and odor from an asphalt plant. “I would hate to lose the value of my house,” Stewart said.
Bill Neilly of North Street said the asphalt plant would be safety operated and he said Shaw Brothers has been a huge asset to the community. “I know your decision will be fact based,” Neilly told the planning board.
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