Swampscott selectmen to determine Aggregate operating hours

SWAMPSCOTT – The hours of operation for Aggregate Industries will be determined by the Board of Selectmen at its meeting this evening.The quarry is currently allowed to operate from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., but when the company applied for its annual earth removal permit last month, the Earth Removal Advisory Committee recommended scaling back the hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. between June 1 and Sept. 1 each year.At the time, ERAC Chairman Eugene Barden said a noise study showed higher levels of noise than expected. He said in the summer many people have their windows open and are outside in their yards. He said scaling back the hours would give residents some relief from dust and noise so ERAC recommended hours of operation be scaled back during the summer months.Attorney Chris Drucas, who represents Aggregate Industries, said scaling back the hours would result in 15 people losing their jobs. Drucas said Aggregate Industries believes earlier noise studies were flawed. He said noise levels are measured against ambient levels, which is also known as background noise and state standards allow 10 decibels above the background noise. He said the noise study measured background noise only between 5-6 a.m. and again between 10-11 p.m. when traffic and other background noises are minimal.Last month, the Selectmen granted Drucas’ request to allow Aggregate Industries time to shut down its operations so it could obtain accurate daytime background noise tests, which would be performed by an independent consultant.Monday afternoon, Drucas said the results show the quarry operations do not exceed the 10 decibels above background noise standard set by the DEP.”In my opinion I don’t believe there is a reason to reduce the hours,” he said. “In the hour-by-hour breakdown the noise from the quarry does not exceed state standards.”On Monday, Barden said ERAC is still studying the latest finding and is not prepared to make a recommendation on hours of operation yet.”There are some differences,” he said. “For this study the plant was shut down for two days. We’ll make our recommendation at the next Board of Selectmen meeting.”The results of the new noise study are expected to be presented at the Board of Selectmen meeting this evening at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.