Aggregate representatives leave bad impression with Peabody councilors

PEABODY – Representatives from Aggregate Industries dropped the ball yet again when they came unprepared for their monthly meeting with the City Council Tuesday night.At their last meeting in March, councilors requested that the rock and sand excavation company present a list of all approved permits and an organizational chart of their plans for closure and expansion. Aggregate representatives Scott Colby and Rob Robinson brought neither with them, stating they were unclear on exactly what it was the councilors wanted.Councilors Ted Bettencourt and Barry Sinewitz were quick to voice their aggravation with the slow moving process.”We seem to be going nowhere,” said Sinewitz. “It’s time to let us know when (the expansion) is coming.”Bettencourt told Colby and Robinson they had “plenty of time” to get the requested information.”I’m disappointed,” he said. “It would have been nice to have clarification today.”Colby told the council that it’s impossible to give them all the information they seek because it’s a complex project that Aggregate is taking very seriously and cautiously.”We want to do it right,” he said. “It’s not cut and dry the way you and I would want it to be.”Colby told councilors that his company still plans to meet the closure plan deadline of December 2009, but in the meantime, will continue to work on their expansion plan, much to the dismay of the quarry’s neighbors, one of whom happens to be Councilor Michael Garabedian.”I’ve never been a friend of Aggregate’s and as of tonight, I probably never will be,” he said noting the lack of communication and respect the councilors have received. “Eastman Gelatin bends over backwards for this city?It’s disappointing to see that we can’t get meetings going.”Sinewitz said he would rather cut back on their meeting schedule and not waste any more of people’s time.”It makes the city look bad, it makes us look bad, and it makes you look bad,” he said, suggesting to meet every other month instead.Robinson acknowledged Aggregate’s not so pretty past in Peabody.”We’re not trying to pull the wool up over anyone’s eyes,” he said. “There’s lots of distrust there?We are to trying to put it right.”Bettencourt gave Colby, Robinson, and their attorney Jerry Effren a final deadline to provide them with completed information no later than by the end of this month.