Editor,
This is a response to the Busque Quarry question and answer page that was printed in the June 9 issue of the Lakes Region Suburban Weekly.
There are several citizens of this town that have formed a group called WPC, Windham Preservation Committee. This group has many concerns about the proposed Tibbetts/Busque quarry located on the corner of Route 302 and Nash Road. On April 10, 2006, the issues of traffic, noise, dust, and protection to the wells of abutters and surrounding homes were presented to the Planning Board.
There is currently a petition for a proposed amendment to the town of Windham ordinance regarding mineral extraction being circulated by concerned citizens. The current ordinance for mineral extraction would allow anyone, in any area of town to set up this type of operation. It currently does not matter if it is residential or farm zone, and does not matter if there are businesses and homes that will be affected.
This ordinance will have guidelines that give the Planning Board more control over where and how mineral extraction will occur and these proposed changes would protect the town, its homeowners and small business owners in the future. Mr. Busque would have to amend some of his business practices, but this new amended ordinance would not shut Mr. Busque or any other business down.
If the town approves the Tibbetts/Busque quarry, Mr. Busque plans to lease space to Auburn Concrete to install a concrete redi-mix batch plant. Auburn Concrete has already applied to the DEP for an air emissions license. They propose to build a 50-foot silo on site. The addition of this plant will certainly add dust, noise and traffic issues to this entire operation.
Fact: Mr. Busque stated that with one exception, the closest house was 2,500 feet away. Within 2,500 feet is the Avant Garde dog training, boarding, and behavior business (Mr. Busque places this 800 feet away); the Northeastern Motel diagonally across Route 302; four homes on Route 302, three homes on Windham Center Road, all of Nash Road going east with one exception, and several homes on Nash Road going west from the quarry and Gagnon’s Landscaping business across Route 302. This is not a perfect place for a quarry.
Fact: The existing land use ordinance does not adequately protect the private property right of abutters nor does it allow the town to impose reasonable conditions on quarry/mineral extraction operations.
Fact: Using provisions modeled on other town’s ordinances, the new Windham ordinance will require developers of gravel pits to provide sufficient information to allow the town to identify any adverse impacts, and will allow operating conditions to ensure that gravel pit/quarry operations not harm abutting properties, create traffic hazards or lead to environmental problems.
Fact: Mr. Busque’s proposed business hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sundays limited to equipment maintenance 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mr. Busque quoted hours that are different than the above – his proposal to the town Planning Board states the above hours.
Fact: The new amended ordinance DOES NOT PROHIBIT gravel pits/quarries in any zone. It merely requires that gravel pit/quarry operators act in a manner that follows the new town comprehensive plan and protects the rights of abutters.
Fact: The new amended ordinance DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH EXISTING QUARRIES. The new ordinance would only apply to new applications. Existing operations will not be affected.
Fact: The new ordinance does not change any of the existing conditions for farming, personal, or development use of rock, sand, gravel and loam.
The town of Windham has a comprehensive plan that should be followed, and it is troubling that this type of operation will have an adverse impact on adjacent properties, businesses and the town of Windham.
Do we want to have such an operation on Route 302, which is “The Gateway to the Lakes Region?” Mr. Busque has already stripped numerous acres of land in preparation for this operation, prior to getting the approval to do so. It is already a visual eyesore to commuters and tourists.
I urge registered voters in this town to get the facts and read the proposed amendment to the ordinance. Ask questions of all those for and opposed to this type of development and make up your own mind. If you feel that our concerns are valid, please support our mission. This is not a neighborhood issue, this is every person’s issue in this town. We need to protect our town and long-standing businesses as well as the quality of life that we expected when we built/purchased homes and businesses.
If anyone is interested in seeing a copy of the proposed ordinance changes or in signing the amendment petition, please call Margaret Pinchbeck at 893-1951.
Becky Hagar
Windham
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