Aggregate, ERAC expected to reach deal over quarry permit

SWAMPSCOTT – After months of disagreement over an earth removal permit for the quarry, Aggregate Industries and the Earth Removal Advisory Committee (ERAC) are expected to reach an agreement tonight.The current permit expired June 30 but selectmen voted to allow two extensions to allow time to hammer out a new permit and to schedule a public hearing.The public hearing is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. in Town HallERAC Chairman Eugene Barden said the committee and Aggregate have reached an agreement, which if approved by selectmen, would allow Aggregate Industries to run its sand washing operating 24 hours a day through September in exchange for shutting down its primary rock crusher at 6 p.m. on Fridays through September.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, ERAC recommended scaling back the hours of operation to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. between June 1 and Sept. 1 each year. After more than an hour of discussion at a meeting last month, selectmen voted unanimously to extend Aggregate Industries’ earth removal permit through Aug. 19 without a reduction in the hours of operation.In June, attorney Chris Drucas, who represents Aggregate Industries, asked selectmen to allow the company time to shut down its quarry operations so an independent consultant could obtain accurate daytime background noise tests and his request was granted.The results of that noise study were presented at a July selectmen meeting. At that time, ERAC member Milton Fiskel explained noise levels are measured against ambient levels, also known as background noise, and state standards allow 10 decibels above the background noise. Fiskel said the quarry operations do not exceed Department of Environmental Protection standards at any time.Drucas said the company would continue working with ERAC and neighbors to continue lowering the noise levels emanating from quarry operations.