Swampscott selectmen OK permit for Aggregate quarry

SWAMPSCOTT – The selectmen approved an earth-removal permit for Aggregate Industries quarry operations with no objections from area residents or selectmen. This week selectmen unanimously approved the new earth removal permit, which was recommended by the Earth Removal Advisory Committee (ERAC).The new permit, which was approved Tuesday evening, is in effect through June 2011.At a public hearing, ERAC member Milton Fistel said the permit was unchanged from last year. Last year Aggregate Industries voluntarily agreed to close in the early evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day because in prior years neighbors had complained about noise in the evenings when they were in their yards during the summer months.Fistel said that provision is in the new permit as well.Aggregate attorney Chris Drucas said the plant is currently not blasting or conducting crushing operations because there has not been much demand due to the economy.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor asked about the quarry closure plan Aggregate Industries is required to develop. Drucas said the quarry expects to operate for another 50 years and the company would need direction from Swampscott and Salem as to what both communities would like to see on the site before developing a plan.In other business, the selectmen appointed Dana Swanstrom and Milton Fistel to the Harbor Advisory Committee and Sylvia Belkin as the Swampscott representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Board.