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Pike Industries begins blasting for access road
05.13.2011
Neighboring businesses' last-minute requests that Westbrook stay the work are unsuccessful.
By Leslie Bridgers
Portland Press Herald
WESTBROOK - Pike Industries set off its first blast Thursday for the construction of an access road at its Spring Street quarry, despite a last-minute demand from neighboring businesses that the city halt the activity.
A letter from Artel Inc. was hand-delivered Thursday morning to Westbrook Code Enforcement Officer Rick Gouzie asking him not to allow the scheduled blasting to proceed. Smiling Hill Farm and television stations WPXT/WPME also sent letters to Gouzie opposing the blasting.
Gouzie issued a permit to Pike on Tuesday allowing 10 blasts from then through June 8 for the purpose of building the access road. He said the second blast is scheduled for 1 p.m. today.
According to a consent agreement approved by a judge in November, Pike can blast up to 10 times before June 9 to build the access road to the quarry, which is a requirement under the agreement. Artel, Smiling Hill Farm and nearby residents are appealing that agreement in Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
In the letter from Artel, facilities manager Jack Wood contended that Pike should not be allowed to blast until the appeal is decided. Artel manufactures precision instruments for measuring liquids.
Pike's attorney, Tony Buxton of Preti Flaherty, said Maine's Supreme Court denied Artel's request for a stay to delay blasting until the appeal is decided.
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