Swampscott selectmen approve new Aggregate Industries permit

SWAMPSCOTT – After months of discussion, a new earth removal permit for Aggregate Industries was approved.The new permit was unanimously approved by the Board of Selectmen at its meeting Tuesday evening and runs through June 30, 2009.The quarry has been allowed to operate from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. but under the new permit the company would cease its rock crushing operation at 6 p.m. on Friday evenings through Sept. 26. Other changes in the permit include an expansion of Aggregate Industries sand washing operating with advance approval from the Earth Removal Advisory Committee (ERAC).ERAC Chairman Eugene Barden said Aggregate Industries would also be asked to report back with plans to further mitigate noise emanating from quarry operations and another sound test would be performed in the spring.The permit for quarry operations was scheduled to expire on June 30 but the Board of Selectmen allowed two extensions. One extension was allowed in June when attorney Chris Drucas, who represents Aggregate Industries, asked the selectmen to allow the company time to shut down its quarry operations so it could obtain accurate daytime background noise tests, which would be performed by an independent consultant and his request was granted.The results of that noise study were presented at the Board of Selectmen meeting in July. At that time ERAC member Milton Fiskel explained noise levels are measured against ambient levels, which is 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 purchase sound monitoring equipment, which would be available to ERAC.Board of Selectmen Chairman Anthony Scibelli pointed out the provisions agreed upon apply to this permit only and everything would be revisited when its time to renew the permit again in 2009.