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East Rockhill residents voice fears over quarry

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East Rockhill residents again showed up in force for a township zoning hearing board meeting centered on the recently resumed operations at a quarry that had been dormant since the early 1980s.

Township officials held the meeting on Rockhill Quarry on April 25 at the auditorium at Pennridge High School to accommodate the large crowd.

Residents came with a host of concerns. Those included worries over the potential for hazardous traffic from big quarry trucks, well depletion, drinking water pollution, intrusive noise, diminished property values and even the possibility that blasting could disrupt subterranean geology and destabilize the foundations of nearby homes and barns.

The purpose of the meeting, which lasted about four hours, was to begin a hearing on Richard E. Pierson Materials Corp.’s appeal of a township zoning officer decision that denied the company a permit to operate the quarry and ordered that operations cease.

Pierson also wants to operate an asphalt plant at the site on North Rockhill Road. The company is asking the zoning hearing board for permission to do so – and pressing additional appeals against other zoning officer determinations regarding the quarry operation. It’s ultimately the Zoning Heard Board’s responsibility to rule on such matters. Pierson could appeal in the courts if it didn’t like the board’s ruling.

Still, before the testimony from Pierson’s professionals could begin on April 25, the zoning hearing board deliberated extensively on requests for party status in the case from a score or so of residents. Obtaining party status gives an individual the right to cross examine witnesses and participate in an appeal if one is launched.

In explaining their desire for party status, residents articulated their fears about the quarry, which Pierson is operating in support of it’s $224 million project that involves reconstructing and widening about seven miles of the Northeast Extension from Lansdale to a mile marker west of Sellersville.

“I’m concerned for myself and my family,” said Christina Grega. “I’m worried it could pollute the well that provides our water.”

Intrusive noise from the quarry’s blasting, machines and trucks was another common concern.

“The noise is unbearable during the day,” said Daniel Soliday. A woman asking for party status added that she can hear “incessant crunching of rocks even as I sit inside the house.”
Sometimes, the operations can literally be felt, residents said.

“There was a blast that went off that shook my house,” said Jeff Sklarow, who noted he lives about a mile away.

The potential for structural damage to property is stoking fears, too. Arthur Hallett raised the prospect of a stone foundation being compromised.

“I’m concerned about asphalt odors and who knows what else,” Hallett added.

Mark Ezzo said he is worried about health problems that could occur if the quarry pollutes local well water. He is also anxious that the quarry could deplete groundwater that residents rely on.
“I’ve lived in other areas where the wells went dry,” he said.

Many were concerned about truck traffic, too. Anywhere from 50 to 150 trucks could be hauling stone from the site each day.

“The roads will be damaged by overweight trucks,” Ezzo said.

The hearing before the zoning board will resume on Wednesday May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Pennridge High School Auditorium.

Hanson Aggregates Pennsylvania owns the quarry site. Pierson is leasing it.

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