By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Despite public concerns regarding dust, noise, effects of blasting and whether the project threatens the quality of life of surrounding neighborhoods, the proposed Rolfe Corp. quarry in West Bridgton has passed the Land Use Ordinance test.

Planners last week gave tentative approval with a few conditions attached. Following lengthy public hearings and numerous submissions from neighbors and technical experts, planners found developer Rex Rolfe and his team met a laundry list of standards.

The project gets its final stamp of approval when planners act on the Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law, which includes a full list of conditions, at their next meeting.

Some conditions included:

• At their last meeting, Rolfe proposed a change in hours of quarry operation, which planners included in their list of conditions.

The hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday with no rock crushing, drilling or blasting; and no quarry operations on Sunday.

Blasting will be done between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Civil engineer and project manager Jim Seymour of Sebago Technics requested that if emergency conditions occur that the quarry could be opened on Sunday to pick up materials.

“Only in the event that there’s a disaster,” he noted. “If a road gets washed out and there’s a call that somebody needs to get stone or gravel they can.”

A good example, Seymour cited, was the extreme washouts the Bethel area experienced this past spring.

“They worked like all night fixing the roads so they could get to Sunday River,” he said.

• Water tests will be done. Seymour noted that the plan calls for a monitoring well for every five acres in use. One currently exists.

“I would point out that LEA (Lakes Environmental Association) came to the initial meetings and asked some questions about stormwater, and also looked at the sand pit, and has not voiced any concerns,” Planning Board chair Deb Brusini noted.

Regarding abutters’ beliefs that the applicant failed to address concerns about structural damage to their wells and diminished water supply quality, Brusini said, “I wholeheartedly disagree.” She pointed out consultants “told us what we could expect” and no wells are located within 1,000 feet of the quarry.

Planners also pointed out that a blasting expert said, “the likelihood of damage is so remote, it’s not going to happen.”

“He couldn’t envision damage,” planners added.

Wells located with a half mile to the site will be tested.

• Regarding dust, planners found a report from Engineer Alan Morrison “very compelling” and pointed out that the quarry operation will need to meet state and EPA standards.

“I would say that dust is unlikely to be an issue,” Brusini said. “Certainly, it wouldn’t be a nuisance. I don’t think a nuisance would mean that it reasonably interferes with the enjoyment of the property. I don’t see that happening.”

Some abutters suggested monitoring devices be required. Planners felt using less expensive monitors, not approved by the EPA, could lead to “very erroneous conclusions.”

• The quarry will be enclosed with orange fencing, as well as signs will be posted warning the public of danger.

• Regarding whether the quarry project is consistent with Bridgton’s Comprehensive Plan and whether it violated citizens’ constitutional rights, planners said, “This (Land Use) ordinance has been checked to make sure that it doesn’t violate constitutional rights by our attorneys, among other legal necessities. Therefore, we follow this ordinance. There’s no other standard that can be applied, and I don’t think we can predict that anybody’s constitutional rights are being violated.”

Planner Cathy DiPietro pointed out to the Comp Plan which says, there is a growing interest to restore Bridgton as a commercial hub, and to create opportunities for development and growth in the downtown and along the corridors.

“The applicant has cited that the products from the quarry are important to infrastructure,” planners said. “The Comprehensive Plan also says that one of the industries that we should be supporting and growing is construction…and aggregate is a key component to construction.”

• One complaint was whether planners gave proper public notice regarding the proposal? Planners responded that three successive meetings of public hearings were held and the board met the 48-hour notice requirement. “So per our procedures, due process has been served,” the board said.

Upon completion of the review and vote, applicant Rex Rolfe thanked planners for their “time researching, learning and understanding.”

“I apologize if I showed any frustration. It definitely wasn’t toward the board. It was from outsider things,” he said. “I just want to say thank you. Appreciate it.”

Brusini responded, “The board appreciates your diligence in trying to address abutter concerns and board concerns. It was a very thorough application.”