NORTHFIELD — After hearing the presentation on a proposed gravel pit at 122 Old Bernardston Road for the second time, the Zoning Board of Appeals will reconvene in two weeks to deliberate on a special permit application.
The ZBA had to open a new public hearing for the project due to what Chair Jennifer Cox called “irregularities” with the first meeting over the special permit application because there was confusion about whether an existing special permit would be amended or if a new one would be issued altogether. Attorney Kevin Parsons, who is representing applicant Connecticut River Realty and parcel owner Rob Mitchell, quickly recapped the project for the ZBA and the public, which proposes a 16.77-acre gravel pit on the west side of the approximately 80-acre property that is east of Bennett Brook and Pioneer Valley Regional School.
“In the grand scheme of things … this is not an overly large extraction,” Parsons said. “It is (Mitchell’s) intention, eventually, to build a house out there. … He’s not going for a huge extraction.”
If approved, the gravel pit would operate from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday — although Parsons said his client is willing to set conditions on hours, if necessary. Parsons added they “don’t believe there is going to be a significant issue in regards to noise” as there are similar mining operations in the area, along with railroad tracks.
“This is consistent with other operations on the other side of the railroad tracks,” Parsons said. “There’s already significant stuff going on in the neighborhood.”
Parsons and Jackie Beaman, of Connecticut River Realty, said there should no additional traffic to the area because the only trucks going to the pit would be customers picking up gravel and sand. Beaman noted these trucks would already be going to other mining operations in Northfield.
“Connecticut River Realty doesn’t own a fleet of trucks; whoever buys the sand and gravel will supply the trucks,” Beaman said. “Those trucks already exist in the community. … We’re not going to inject a fleet of trucks to support this project.”
In terms of a timeline for operation, Beaman said there are “roughly 700,000 yards” of material they are looking to extract and an average year would see the company extract “70,000 to 80,000” yards.
“We would hope to be done sooner rather than later,” she said. “Our goal is to sell bulk quantity.”
Several of the dozen residents in attendance raised concerns about the project in regards to noise and what Jennifer Tufts said was a lack of enforcement of town bylaws with Mitchell’s operations in the past.
“If you’re going to approve another special permit for another gravel pit in West Northfield, how are you going to ensure the conditions, that are all very reasonable, are being enforced?” Tufts asked. “We’ve had good bylaws, but we have not had good enforcement.”
Parsons said any perception of poor business practices or bylaw enforcement are “not accurate” and Mitchell has followed all town bylaws.
“There’s a lot of talk, but as far as the facts,” Parsons said, “my client was never held out of compliance with the terms that were agreed to between my client and the town.”
ZBA member Shawn Foster said he has had no problems with Mitchell or his operations in the past, but he hears the concerns of residents and will take them into account.
“In my experience in the last six or eight years, there’s been no issues that I can remember,” Foster said. “My concern is we have adequate conditions and protections, and that those conditions are going to be met.”
With several resident letters and photos entered into the public record, ZBA members opted to take two weeks to go over the materials they were given and reconvene on Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m.
“There’s a lot here and we need time to think about it,” Cox said.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.