Swenson Granite Company, a division of Polycor, has filed applications with the Town of Woodbury and under Vermont's Act 250 to expand its quarry operations. The company seeks to increase annual extraction from 400,000 cubic yards to 750,000 cubic yards and add a mobile crusher for up to 45 days per year to process waste stone.
The Woodbury Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a continued public meeting on June 17 at 5:30 p.m. A decision is expected to be read and posted on Front Porch Forum the following day.
The Act 250 hearing before the District 5 Environmental Commission is scheduled for June 26. The town has objected to Swenson's road impact compensation, which was set in 2001 at $0.065 per cubic foot. In an April 20 letter, town attorney David K. Mears wrote that the rate is inadequate to cover increased truck traffic and rising costs. He noted the irony that Swenson complains about Cabot Road's condition while resisting higher contributions. Mears stated the town supports the quarry but needs funds for safe roads.
At a 2016 ZBA meeting, residents raised concerns about truck traffic, noise, water use, and employee numbers. Applicant Robert Pope said trucks avoid school bus hours, diamond wiring has replaced jet torches, and water is recaptured. Employee count would increase from 10-12 to 13-17.
NEK will be looking into the history of road compensation agreements between Vermont towns and quarry operators.
Originally reported by Hardwick Gazette.
Photo: Volker Braun via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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