Saugus presses Aggregate on closure

SAUGUS – Town officials are pushing Aggregate Industries to put together a closing plan despite the fact it has no plans to halt quarry operations anytime soon.When Aggregate Industries received approval from the Board of Health to accept 250,000 cubic yards of fill last summer, it caught the attention of a number of watchdogs in town. It also resulted in Selectman Stephen Horlick officially asking Aggregate personnel Tuesday to sit down with the town to discuss, at least informally, possible closure plans.Horlick said it was his understanding the talks had started in both Peabody and Swampscott, where Aggregate also operates quarries.”Is there any way that next year, you could sit down, say early summer or spring, with the neighbors and town officials to discuss a closure plan?” he asked.Environmental and Estate Manager Scott Colby said he had no problem meeting with the town because he needs to know what is expected of the company when it comes to closing the plant.Town Meeting member Janet Leuci, who also lives near the plant, said a closure plan has been long overdue.The topography Aggregate might leave behind is a concern of Leuci’s, specifically that the company might restore the giant hole in the ground to its original contours.”I hope the town would never, never let that happen,” she said.Town Meeting member Al DiNardo pointed out that it would take about 80 trucks per day approximately six months to bring in the 250,000 cubic yards and that only represents 5 percent of the quarry.”Think about it,” he said. “A truck every five minutes to fill the quarry, that would take 10 years of 80 trucks per day, every day.”Leuci went on to say that by accepting that much fill, Aggregate would also likely net itself a significant profit, which is an idea she doesn’t like.”Tons of money, she said. “It’s really about money.”She pointed down the street to Rowe Quarry, which was once a 99-acre hole in the ground but is now a residential development that spans Revere and Malden.”Rowe Quarry was never returned to its original contours, but it’s been developed,” Leuci said.Selectman Michael Kelleher pointed out that the closing would be a lengthy and likely sensitive process.”A closure plan is a significant plan that affects the future in a specific way,” Colby said. “We could fill with water or fill with earth. We don’t have to fill to the original contours. I think it’s an excellent idea we begin talking about it.”