Metcalf Asphalt Plant Environmental Injustice

A fight for environmental justice in North Canaan

Environmental injustice occurs when certain groups carry a greater share of environmental risks and hazards and lack the power to influence decisions about the environment. Ben Metcalf hopes the people of North Canaan lack the power to influence decisions which will have a significant impact on their environment and their homes. If he wins, he will have carried out environmental injustice.

Ben Metcalf is on his third lawsuit against our town. He is using a writ of mandamus to try to get a Judge to command our town to issue him a permit to build an asphalt plant. He is making a motion in limine to preclude any evidence at the trial. Evidence that should be presented in a town hearing for the townspeople of North Canaan to decide upon.

Ben Metcalf does not want our town to make its own decisions. He wants to be the only decision maker. He does not want to follow town and state regulations.

Being on the Stop the Asphalt Plant Committee (STAP) is different from serving on other boards or committees. We are fighting for our homes and the future of our town. According to the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, asphalt plants have negative effects on property values and health. One study documented property value losses of up to 56%, and another showed nearly half the residents had negative health effects. The EPA lists many chemicals involved in asphalt production as known carcinogens.

STAP is very grateful to the hundreds of citizens of North Canaan for showing up at meetings, signing petitions and even sending donations to cover legal fees and the cost of flyers. The public support is heartening.

Thank you,

Dolores Perotti

Please voice your objection via email!

State of Connecticut Contacts:

State Representative Maria Horn - Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov
U.S. House Representative Hayes -https://hayes.house.gov/contact/email-me
State Senator Craig Miner -https://ctsenaterepublicans.com/contact-miner/
U.S. Senator Blumenthal -https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact/
U.S. Senator Murphy - https://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact
DEEP: deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov

Town Official Contacts:

Planning & Zoning - zoning@northcanaan.org
Charles P. Perotti - selectman@northcanaan.org
Craig Whiting (Selectmen) - cwhiting57@yahoo.com
Christian P. Allyn (Selectmen) - christianallyn@gmail.com
Inland Wetlands - c/o selectman@northcanaan.org

Here's how to: Voice your objection!


Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ 

with your Social Media network. Thank you!
   

Court hearing set for court ordered approval of Warm-Mix Asphalt Plant

Citizens of North Canaan:

On December 3, 2019 the court will hear arguments regarding the (writ of) * mandamus filed by B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving, Inc against the Town of North Canaan. The writ requests that the court order the approval of the Site Plan Modification for Metcalf to build a Warm-Mix Asphalt Plant in North Canaan that the town returned without action. The court will hear arguments from both sides.

If you are available to attend this hearing in support of the Town in objection to this court ordered approval to site an asphalt plant in North Canaan it could be a powerful statement to the court. But please, if you attend, no demonstrative exhibits like signs and props for they would not be appropriate in the courtroom.

Location: LITCHFIELD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURTHOUSE AT TORRINGTON
50 Field St, Torrington, CT 06790
Date: December 3, 2019
Time: 11 a.m.

Thank you.

* A (writ of) mandamus is an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion.

Here's how to: Voice your objection!


Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ 

with your Social Media network. Thank you!