WESTBROOK – A neighborhood group that will monitor Pike Industries’ operation of its controversial rock quarry off Spring Street in Westbrook will hold its first meeting Saturday.

The meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Westbrook Middle School, is open to all Westbrook residents and businesses. Pike will present its plan for the quarry in the Five Star Industrial Park.

The group’s formation was part of a consent agreement reached in a long dispute involving the city, residents, Pike and nearby businesses including Idexx Laboratories. The agreement was negotiated after the city’s zoning board ruled that Pike didn’t have the right to operate the quarry.

A task force worked out a compromise, backed by Idexx, to allow Pike to operate. The agreement limits Pike to eight blasts a year and an average of 45 vehicles a day.

Neighbors and some businesses, such as Artel, continue to oppose the quarry and have appealed the agreement in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Residents of the Birdland neighborhood, near the quarry, will be at the meeting along with Artel’s attorney, David Bertoni.

Bertoni said Artel is concerned that Pike intends to operate the quarry before the court has ruled on the appeal of the consent agreement.

Bertoni contends that is illegal, but Westbrook’s lawyers disagree and argue that the quarry may operate, said City Administrator Jerre Bryant.

No court dates for the appeal have been set.

Copies of the consent agreement will be available at the meeting. Pike’s blueprints for the quarry operation, including a new access road, are available at Westbrook’s code enforcement office.

Bryant said the city is organizing the initial meeting but will have no future role with the group. More information about the meeting is available by contacting City Hall at 591-8110.

Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:

bquimby@pressherald.com