Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/562664
State & Province Province NEWS To keep up to date with news from the United States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates. by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief tdunphy@randallreilly.com AGGREGATES MANAGER September 2015 4 Connecticut A zoning application in Waterbury faces opposition from neigh- bors, according to Republican American. The request comes from Michael Hychko, who applied for a special permit for commercial earth excavation and hazardous industrial operations, as well as several variances. If approved, he will be able to excavate up to 37.4 acres at a time. Neighbors are opposed to reopening the nearly century-old quarry, saying that it will lower their property values and diminish their quality of life. Iowa A total of 29 Boy Scouts from nine different troops partici- pated in an Eagle Scout and merit badge clinic in Dewitt, the Iowa Limestone Producers Association reports. They visited Wendling Quarries' Shaffton Quarry and Olson's Sand Pit to work on the Mining in Society merit badge. While touring the operations, they saw a blast. In addition, a representa- tive from the Mine Safety and Health Administration talked to them about the importance of staying out of both active and abandoned operations. Finally, the Scouts compared their principles of Leave No Trace, which focuses on minimizing environmental impacts, to the industry's reclamation efforts. Massachusetts Former quarries that now serve as swimming holes were put to an additional use over the summer. The Boston Globe re- ports that the Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre, a New York-based company, performed a site-specifi c routine at Little Parker Quarry in Rockport. The performance, presented by the Wind- hover Performing Arts Center, used the architecture of the quarry — including ledges, cliffs, terraces, and water — as part of the dance. Massachusetts Selectmen in Milford are considering fi lling in Shadowbrook Quarry following the death of a teenager who jumped into Fletcher Quarry last year. According to The Milford Patch, the group discussed efforts in neighboring communities to fi ll in unused quarries. One selectman asked that the town planner or engineer provide information on the feasibility of such an effort. To date, the board has had the police department post "no tres- passing" signs on the property, which is owned by the town. Kentucky A decision from the courts puts Charles Deweese Construction's plans for a Simpson County quarry back on track. County offi cials issued a conditional- use permit to the company in 2012, only to revoke it two years later. According to the Bowling Green Daily News, the board of zoning adjustments then rejected a subsequent application, which was ap- pealed to Special Judge Tyler Gill, who overturned its decision and reinstated the permit. In his opin- ion, Gill wrote that the board's vote to revoke was "not based on substantial evidence, violated prin- ciples of due process, and was legally arbitrary." Oklahoma The Dolese Bros. quarry in Hartshorne just got a $14 million upgrade, according to the McAlester News Capital. Mark Helms, Dolese Bros. president and chief executive offi cer, told the newspaper the plant produces approximately 1 million tons per year, with about 25 employees. "Our plant that we had was very old — prob- ably 30-plus years old," Helm said. "It couldn't meet the current production requirement. We had to upgrade for capacity, and we had to upgrade for safety." North Carolina A state Senate budget bill would eliminate a Department of Labor division that provides training for workers at mines and quarries. The News Observer reports that the proposal, which would eliminate fi ve safety and health positions within the Mine & Quarry Inspection Divi- sion, drew criticism from a House committee. Jay Stem, director of the North Carolina Aggregates Association, told the newspaper that many businesses that benefi t from the training are small operations that can't afford to lose the state's help. "A lot of the quarries are small, family-owned quarries," he said. "They don't have the resources to get the training at market prices." He cred- ited training provided by the agency as one reason why the state's fatality rate has remained low.