A CLOSER LOOK

The Gorham Planning Board public hearing about proposed mineral excavation and noise ordinance changes is at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St. If necessary, it would be continued to Monday, Aug. 6, same time and location.

Planners are also scheduled to discuss the proposed amendments in a workshop set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31.

The Gorham Planning Board is about to hold a public hearing on proposed changes to ordinances that govern mineral excavation and noise, at the same time it is considering a multi-million dollar asphalt plant proposal.

Critics are charging that the proposed rule changes would help the asphalt plant win approval, while the town says it needs updated and clarified ordinances now.

At issue is Shaw Brothers Construction Inc.’s proposal for an asphalt plant and stone quarry on a 125-acre site on Mosher Road. Crushed stone is an ingredient of pavement. Neighbors fear the project would devalue quality of life, but proponents favor it because it’ll add value to the town’s tax base.

Changes the town might consider include where noise levels caused by excavation would be measured – currently, it is at the source. Changes would also allow an abutter to sign a waiver if noise standards are exceeded.

The point where noise is measured would be shifted to the property line. Norm Justice, chairman of the town council, said under the existing ordinance, even noise of a lawnmower would be unacceptable.

“No one could have met the requirement the way it’s written,” Justice said.

The town council directed the planning board to make the recommendations about such possible amendments to the existing land-use ordinances. A separate issue involves updating the ordinance regulating gravel pit slopes to include quarries.

Justice said the existing ordinance doesn’t fully address quarries. “That change would be consistent with what our practice has been,” Justice said.

Justice said both issues were really just “housekeeping.”

One item that appears specific to the Shaw Brothers request is the noise standards waiver.

“As long as you have agreeable abutters, I don’t see a problem,” Justice said.

But opponents want the Shaw Brothers project judged on language in existing ordinances. Dave Homa, a member of Concerned Citizens of Gorham, a group organized to oppose the project, called the current rules “stumbling blocks” to approving the project.

“Now is not the time to make changes,” Homa said. “They’re changing the rules of the game in the middle of the approval process.”

Homa argued the planning board would be reviewing the Shaw Brothers’ application based on changes it might recommend to the council. “I’m eager to see how the planning board deals with this,” Homa said.

Aleece Herlihy, also a member of the citizens’ group, objected to “tinkering” with the ordinances until the town’s comprehensive plan is updated. Herlihy said changes would loosen restrictions on other existing operations in town.

The construction company bought the site from Lachance Brick Co., which retained a few acres to sell bricks. It no longer manufactures bricks there. The construction company submitted its plans for the asphalt plant and quarry to the town last year. Shaw Brothers are planning to have initially a $3 million portable asphalt plant, which would be replaced at some point by at $10 million permanent facility.

Danny Shaw, co-owner of Shaw Brothers, said other quarries have been permitted in the past. Shaw said changes would clarify, not change, the intent of ordinances.

“We’re not asking for anything that hasn’t been approved in the past,” he said about the company’s stone quarry plans.

Gorham Planning Board will hold a public hearing about proposed changes at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

Herlihy expects a big turnout of opposition at Monday’s meeting. The public hearing could spill over to Monday, Aug. 6. After the public hearing is completed, the planning board is expected to forward its recommendation to the town council.

Planners are scheduled to discuss the proposed amendments in a workshop set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31.

Justice said the planning board is reviewing several other applications now relating to mineral excavation. He said a delay to amend ordinances couldn’t be done without a moratorium on accepting requests.