Tuesday, June 18, 2019

What would an "Environmentalist" do?

About Warm (Green) Mix Asphalt

“...Even a so called Green Mix facility only yields a reduction of about 33% leaving 67% of dangerous Asphalt Fume (inhalable benzene ) and crystalline silica in the environment…”

“...Groundwater contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious human and animal health problems. Those who drink it or come in contact with it can suffer diseases, nervous system disorders, liver or kidney failure, or cancer…*

ANY ASPHALT MAKING OR STORAGE presents a real and present danger to the quality of life in our whole town.

Water in canning jar with Cold-Patch Metcalf Asphalt. And what about the effects of a large Warm Mix Asphalt manufacturing plant at this site?
Housatonic Valley Association documented North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas (see map below)

They have documented a potential aquifer under this property.

Asphalt making and storage risks contaminating the groundwater going into the Blackberry River and aquifers that feed town water well system and private wells.

North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas.

BLUE CROSSHATCH AREAS are Surficial Aquifer Potential Areas Considered to Have the Greatest Potential for Groundwater Yield

ASPHALT SITE IS within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing.

Attorney General's Opinion on "...asphalt batching or continuous mix facility..." sites Sec. 5. This act shall take effect from its passage, except that section 1 shall take effect October 1, 1998.

"...The language of the public act is quite plain. Any asphalt batching or continuous mix facility not in operation as of December 31, 1997, may not be located less than one-third of a mile from any of the sites listed. According to the information you have supplied to me, the Fedus Colchester plant is located within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing and, as of December 31, 1997, it was not in operation. If those are the facts regarding the location of the plant and its operation, the currently pending application to renew the permit to construct the plant must be denied as the statutory language prohibits location of such a facility, inter alia, within 1/3 mile of residential housing and within 1/3 mile of a watercourse. ..."

Stormwater Contamination Danger from Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement:

“... Field samples taken from various local sites were collected during the first-flush period of a rainstorm, in addition to laboratory-generated runoff samples from both virgin hot mix asphalt and reclaimed asphalt pavement. … Overall, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) runoff was shown to have higher concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons and greater complexity than virgin asphalt. … One goal for this project is to raise attention to a matter that has widely been overlooked, and one that may be far greater in magnitude than has been yet realized.

Report: The Effect of Asphalt Pavement on Stormwater Contamination by WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-052810-151011/unrestricted/Asphalt_and_Stormwater_IQP_2010.pdf

Asphalt Plants are Regulated under Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Plan:

“...a comprehensive and coordinated system of land use regulations should be established that includes state regulations which protect public drinking water wells located in stratified drift aquifers… (Stratified Drift Aquifers consist of stratified layers of sand and gravel. Most productive aquifers. High permeability/moderate porosity. Susceptible to pollution)…”...

“... What Are The Effects of Groundwater Contamination? According to Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program (which North Canaan has adopted) Municipal Manual groundwater contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious human and animal health problems. Those who drink it or come in contact with it can suffer diseases, nervous system disorders,liver or kidney failure, or cancer. Detection and treatment of contaminated water can be very expensive, much more expensive than taking steps to prevent the contamination from occurring in the first place. …” More at Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program HERE.

The owner of Metcalf Paving says he is an "environmentalist".

What do you think?

Tell them:
STATE NWCT REPRESENTATIVE: Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov
DEEP: deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov
TOWN OF NORTH CANAAN:
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

Ask the STATE OF CT attorney.general@ct.gov to look into the matter of Metcalf continuing to expand the "non-conforming" designation of his property without the citizens of North Canaan having their due process.


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!
    


Action Continues

While we have had an initial success in getting our zoning regulations amended to NOT PERMIT Asphalt production in all zones of North Canaan, our fight continues.  Metcalf's lawsuit against the zoning board continues in court and we are awaiting a decision by the judge on whether to allow Metcalf to proceed on a technicality. The judge could actually decide to let Metcalf proceed without any further say from the town's people. The judge may also agree with the town, that with no zoning provision to allow asphalt manufacture the result would have been the same even if the application was accepted - it would have been disallowed.

Many people think that the new amendment to our zoning regulations is stopping Metcalf - but it is not. For we know Metcalf is appealing the decision of the zoning board to not permit asphalt production in our town. Metcalf is clearly ignoring this town vote and the overwhelming support by townspeople to halt any asphalt production in North Canaan. So again, "We do not want your plant in North Canaan Mr. Metcalf!"

So, please spread the word that this battle continues. His lawsuit continues and he keeps filing appeals both of which the town must spend resources to answer.

So keep the signs up and keep emailing/writing your town and state officials.

Keep North Canaan healthy.

Contact:
STATE NWCT REPRESENTATIVE: Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov
DEEP: deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov
TOWN OF NORTH CANAAN:
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

Ask the STATE OF CT attorney.general@ct.gov to look into the matter of Metcalf continuing to expand the "non-conforming" designation of his property without the citizens of North Canaan having their due process.



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!
    


Sunday, May 12, 2019

Meeting Sign!


Please plan to attend. But if you cannot please write or email the Zoning Board your support of the amendment restricting asphalt plants and storage in North Canaan. See post below with contact names. What kind of future do you see for our town?

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!
    


Saturday, April 13, 2019

Meeting

Come to Public Hearing

Please find below the text that the STAP group is proposing as an amendment to the Zoning Regulations of the Town of North Canaan.

As you know, a public hearing of the matter was set last night to take place beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Town Hall at 100 Pease Street, No. 3, in the main meeting room.

Article VI Table Of Uses:

To propose an amendment to add the manufacturing, production and/or storage of Asphalt to the list of Prohibited Land Uses in all zones of the town of North Canaan.
This proposal is being specifically identified in accordance with the existing performance standards Art VII A-D, Art VIII Special permit uses A, C 1-6. As well as special InlandWetlands/Watercourse considerations.

Please plan on attending this meeting to support this amendment. 

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!
    


Friday, March 22, 2019

Asphalt Mess

Cold Patch Asphalt

 

B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving product, East Canaan, CT.
B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving product, East Canaan, CT.

This is what B. Metcalf is making up the hill from our house .. he makes it outdoors in an old gravel mine that sits above the aquifer that fills my neighbors and our wells... he is suing the town to put in a 4 million dollar plant so he can make LOTS more.

Dolores Schaefer Perotti
Facebook Post: March 19, 2019 at 5:28 PM (view post)


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!

Friday, March 15, 2019

Vigilance

Cold Patch to Warm Mix Asphalt: The proposed Warm Mix Asphalt Plant is an oily and more toxic slippery asphalt slope


A few weeks ago the Canaan ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) lifted the Cease and Desist order on B.Metcalf Asphalt and allowed them to keep manufacturing their Cold Patch Asphalt product in East Canaan. Why this expanded use of allowing the manufacturing a unique new product on this property was ever allowed - under a pre-existing “non-conforming” use - is a good question. As is the question at the root of the matter does “processing asphalt” mean “manufacturing asphalt”. But we cannot allow further expansion of any asphalt manufacturing on the 15 Allyndale Road property or the Metcalf property at 235 East Canaan Road where Metcalf is now seeking a court ordered permit (Hearing Date set for May 14, 2019) to build a plant to manufacture Warm Mix Asphalt. We must be thorough and definitive as a community. We need to insist that the North Canaan Zoning Board state that there is a difference between “processing” and
December 22, 2012 by the former Zoning Enforcement Officer regarding “processing of asphalt” at 15 Allyndale Road by Metcalf
December 22, 2012 letter (click to enlarge)
“manufacturing” and that allowing “processing” was never meant to allow “manufacturing”. We need to insist that the letter of December 22, 2012 by the former Zoning Enforcement Officer regarding “processing of asphalt” at 15 Allyndale Road be clarified to state that “...processing of asphalt, brick and concrete intermittently with a portable crusher… and processing equipment to utilize millings.” was not intended and should not now be interpreted in any way to allow the “manufacture of a new and unique asphalt product” as a continuation of a pre-existing “non-conforming” use on either property. Regarding the Warm Mix Asphalt plant site modification plan submitted by B. Metcalf Paving, Inc. that is in court, we as a community need to be vigilant and actively seek advice and intervention on this matter from the State of Connecticut Attorney General and the DEEP where applicable, regarding water and air quality permitting and the State Statute CT Public Act 98-216 (22A-196) governing the site location of any “batching or continuous mix facility” located within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing.

THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION IS NOW!

Please copy this message into your email: SUBJECT: Stop the Asphalt Plant in East Canaan CT
Send to:
zoning@northcanaan.org
selectman@northcanaan.org
cwhiting57@yahoo.com
christianallyn@gmail.com
attorney.general@ct.gov - William Tong
Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov
deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

STAP Sign

Here is a STAP sign to use as lawn or car window sign!


FOR PRINTABLE SIZE: 
  1. Click image above then...
  2. On image page right-click mouse button, select "View Image"
  3. Select "Print" from "File" menu at top left of screen window
  4. Display on Lawn or in Car Window.

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!

Monday, March 4, 2019

Aquifer Risk

Housatonic Valley Association documenting North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas

There is a potential aquifer under this property. This also risks contaminating the groundwater going to aquifers that feed town water well system and private wells .

BLUE CROSSHATCH AREAS are Surficial Aquifer Potential Areas Considered to Have the Greatest Potential for Ground Water Yield

Housatonic Valley Association documenting North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas
Housatonic Valley Association documenting North Canaan, Connecticut
Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas (detail from original map).

Attorney General's Opinion on "...asphalt batching or continuous mix facility..." sites Sec. 5. This act shall take effect from its passage, except that section 1 shall take effect October 1, 1998. The language of the public act is quite plain. Any asphalt batching or continuous mix facility not in operation as of December 31, 1997, may not be located less than one-third of a mile from any of the sites listed. According to the information you have supplied to me, the Fedus Colchester plant is located within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing and, as of December 31, 1997, it was not in operation. If those are the facts regarding the location of the plant and its operation, the currently pending application to renew the permit to construct the plant must be denied as the statutory language prohibits location of such a facility, inter alia, within 1/3 mile of residential housing and within 1/3 mile of a watercourse.

Here's how to: Voice your objection!

Share this information and our website at https://www.stapeastcanaan.com with your Social Media network. Thank you!

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Voice your objection

Here's How to:

Voice your objection!

 

NO COLD PATCH OR WARM MIX ASPHALT: THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION IS NOW!

1) CONTACT to thank them for standing strong on this issue and tell them you don’t want to see any asphalt batching or manufacturing plant in Canaan.
North Canaan Planning & Zoning
℅ Town Hall
100 Pease Street
North Canaan, CT 06018

2) INFORM your neighbors and friends, and, if you are renting your home tell your landlord immediately. Please pass on this STOP THE ASPHALT PLANT website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org.

3) SIGN the petition against the Ben Metcalf proposal- sign petition online at
https://www.change.org/p/north-canaan-zoning-board-help-stop-the-asphalt-plant-in-east-canaan

4) EMAIL your selectmen selectman@northcanaan.org - tell them ANY asphalt batching or manufacturing plant is unacceptable in North Canaan!

State of Connecticut: Email Contacts:
attorney.general@ct.gov - William Tong
deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov

Other Town Official Email 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


Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ with your Social Media network. Thank you!
    

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Featured

Read about it and watch the videos...


- Asphalt Dilemma Video - soon to be shown at the Salem Film Festival...
- Attorney General's Opinion on "...Any asphalt batching or continuous mix facility..." - contact your state officials...
- Here's how to: Voice your objection! - contact list...
- Sign Petition - your voice counts...
- Donate - to help get the word out...
- Timeline  -  (as of February 17, 2019)
- No Asphalt Video - don't let them change "Our" town...

Use as lawn or car window sign!

FOR PRINTABLE SIZE: 
  1. Click image above then...
  2. On image page right-click mouse button, select "View Image"
  3. Select "Print" from "File" menu at top left of screen window
  4. Display on Lawn or in Car Window.


Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ with your Social Media network. Thank you!