Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Panel to Pike: Eight blasts per year limit

A Westbrook task force gathers testimony and recommends a pact between industrial park businesses.

By Melanie Creamer mcreamer@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

WESTBROOK - A task force that was formed to find a way to let high-tech industries coexist with a rock quarry in the Five Star Industrial Park decided late Wednesday night to recommend limiting Pike Industries to eight blasts a year.

click image to enlarge

Ann-Marie Mayberry, who supports Pike Industries, addresses the Spring Street Quarry and Industrial Zone Steering Committee at a public hearing Wednesday night at Westbrook High auditorium.

Tim Greenway/Staff Photographer

click image to enlarge

Tim Bachelder, a Spring Street resident who lives across from Pike Industries’ quarry, explains his opposition to blasting at a public hearing in Westbrook on Wednesday night.

Tim Greenway/Staff Photographer

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

The 10-member panel reached its decision after a public hearing on the issue that drew more than 100 residents. Former Mayor Bruce Chuluda and City Councilor John O'Hara cast the only dissenting votes.

The panel, formed by Mayor Colleen Hilton, will make its recommendation to the City Council on Monday.

For more than two hours, it heard testimony from supporters of Pike Industries, which wants to mine its quarry in the industrial park off Spring Street, and nearby businesses and residents who oppose their plan.

Of the residents who spoke, more than 30 favored Pike's quarrying operation and the panel's proposed compromise. About 24 people showed support for a competing committee proposal that would prevent Pike from blasting.

Among the speakers was former Mayor Bill O'Gara, who lives on Cardinal Street, close to the quarry. He asked the panel how allowing Pike to blast could make the city more attractive to families and businesses.

"What impact will a company that depends on setting off explosions have on the value of homes in such close proximity to such activity?" O'Gara said. "I realize there are two major entities which are at the center of this issue, but I ask you, no I implore you, to show such concern for the smaller, but more equally vital businesses and the many homeowners who will be adversely affected."

A slight majority of the panel has proposed allowing Pike six to eight double blasts a year, saying it would be enough to keep the quarry operating while limiting the impact on neighbors and nearby businesses. Other members have proposed that Pike not blast at all.

Pike has proposed 20 blasts a year, as well as improvements like enclosed rock-crushing equipment and an earthen berm to shield neighbors from the sights and sounds of the operation.

Idexx offered a proposal Tuesday in which it would continue its $50 million plan to expand in the city's industrial park and Pike would continue mining the nearby quarry. Jonathan Ayers, president and CEO of Idexx, commended the committee's efforts to find a compromise. He said that if Pike is allowed to exceed those limits, it will prompt Idexx to expand instead in a neighboring community.

"This point of view is a reasonable compromise that best balances the concerns of all neighboring businesses," Ayers said at the hearing. "We are concerned that an expansion of the quarry operation without the appropriate controls would have a substantial negative economic impact on the park, driving businesses out, depreciating property values and deterring new business investment."

Idexx's proposal drew sharp criticism from Pike officials and many residents who attended the hearing.

Ray Weeks of Windham, who worked in Westbrook for 43 years, said the quarry was there long before those who moved in began complaining about it.

"It seems unimaginable to me that one enterprise could persuade the city to put another enterprise out of business just because they don't like what they do," Weeks said. "I say to those who don't like the beautiful sound of a train whistle, maybe it's time you moved."

Jonathan Olson, Pike's regional manager, also commended the work of the committee.

"You have come up with what is considered to be a reasonable and fair compromise to the issue," Olson said. "Pike Industries would not presume what level other businesses should operate at, but we are willing to take certain restrictions on our business in the spirit of compromise."

David Machesney, owner of Pratt-Abbott Cleaners in the park, also addressed the committee. Machesney has owned the business since 1991.

He said, "I don't know how to operate a quarry anymore than I know how to make veterinary tests," which is Idexx's business. "Right from the beginning, I knew there was a quarry on Spring Street. I knew there was blasting. I have had no issues with the quarry Pike has always been a good neighbor and we shouldn't be driving good neighbors away."

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com