Saturday, April 17, 2010
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
The Record
STAFF WRITER
RINGWOOD — A local quarry can continue digging after council members extended the company's license until May 14.
The extension was needed for a borough engineer to review reports on whether the excavating is harming the underground water supply.
Saddle Mountain LP, a subsidiary of Braen Stone Industries of Haledon, is operating a stone-blasting quarry in the Stonetown section of the borough under a license that expired last June. The council approved another extension Wednesday night while it waits for engineer Stanley Puszcz, from H2M Associates Inc. in Parsippany, to go over documents submitted by the quarry.
"Mr. Puszcz wants to meet with hydrologists and the quarry's engineer to clarify some things and have some questions answered," said borough attorney Richard Clemack.
A new hearing date for a new license application has not been set.
Saddle Mountain has been operating the quarry on the 95-acre site off Westbrook Road since 1990, when it purchased a mom-and-pop business nestled in a residential community. The company and borough have had a contentious relationship that landed them in court numerous times. Ultimately, Ringwood was told it can't shut down the operation.
Residents have flocked to town hall through the years to beg the council to limit the quarry's intrusion into their lives. They complain their requests have fallen on deaf ears. Council members, in turn, say they are prevented legally from restricting much of the quarry's business. The issue flares each time the quarry applies for another three-year license.
Now, however, the digging is below 370 feet (above sea level) and residents are afraid the excavation will destroy their wells. Though they continue to complain of noise and truck traffic, they are most concerned of being left without water.
"None of our wells have been surveyed, and I've had water problems since they've been digging below 370 feet," said resident Frank Schoof. "I'm baffled you aren't stopping this and are acting on behalf of the quarry instead of the residents."
Councilman John Speer agreed the well issue needs further investigation and brought up other problems he said need to be addressed.
Namely, the quarry expects to bring in 2.2 million cubic yards of fill, which requires 100,000 trucks, to rehabilitate the property once excavating is complete, he said.
"I initially thought there was a finite level where they could go, but apparently they can go as deep as they want," Speer said. "There's no floor for this quarry. We have to get this worked out."
The borough receives 5 cents for every ton of material taken out by the quarry. Speer suggested the town also be compensated for every ton brought in, to offset the cost of wear and tear on the roads for such a massive amount of truck traffic.
E-mail: williamsb@northjersey.com