Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Sandy-Hook-gravel-mining

Full Text:

with cut: Town Asks For Shut-Down Plan For Mining Work

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The town has told a construction permit holder to provide it with a plan

detailing what measures will be taken to prevent erosion during the winter at

the sand and gravel mining project in Sandy Hook Center.

In an October 18 letter to Erwin Potter, William Nicholson, the town's zoning

enforcement officer, writes "I must insist that you provide us with a winter

shutdown plan showing the measures you will take to prevent erosion during the

winter months. This plan should include a time schedule, an A-2 survey showing

the area that has been excavated, the final (grading) contours, and all of the

erosion control features you will put in place."

Mr Nicholson states he wants the plan in hand by November 18.

During the past year, Mr Potter has been involved in a project to create a

"community parking lot" on Riverside Road for Sandy Hook Center.

In December 1995, Mr Potter received a construction permit from the town

allowing him to remove 39,854 cubic yards of earth materials, including sand

and gravel, to make way for the construction of the community parking lot.

In his October 18 letter, Mr Nicholson states that Mr Potter hasn't yet

installed a four-foot-tall chain link fence along the edge of the sand and

gravel operation as required by the town.

"This fence was to have been erected before the start of school in September,

and should be put up immediately to prevent access to the site by (Sandy Hook

School) children,' he writes.

The excavators have erected a temporary plastic fence as a safety feature, not

the required chain link fence, Mr Nicholson said.

"It is imperative that these (various) measures be taken to prevent possible

injury to children and to avoid soil erosion at the site," Mr Nicholson

states.

Besides Mr Potter, Mr Nicholson sent copies of the letter to the school board

chairman, school superintendent, school grounds supervisor, and the Planning

and Zoning Commission chairman.

In late July, the town issued a "stop work" order to Mr Potter for the sand

and gravel project because the excavators apparently had removed more earth

materials from the excavation site nearest Sandy Hook School than was allowed

by the construction permit.

In early July, Mr Nicholson and Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer had inspected the

excavation site and determined the excavation exceeded the limits specified in

the construction permit, in violation of the town's sand and gravel

regulations.

Of the parking lot construction project, Mr Nicholson said "As far as I'm

concerned, I want it finished."

Mr Potter wasn't available for comment.