Bridge, road plans approved

WILTON – The Planning Board on Wednesday approved the relocation of a bridge across Stoney Brook and an access road to the stone crusher on the Pike Industries site off Route 31 North.

The question has been under consideration since July while the plan was reviewed by the town’s consulting engineers, Normandeau Associates of Bedford, the Conservation Commission and various state agencies.

The bridge and road are the second part of a general upgrading of the property, which Pike recently leased from Quinn Brothers, who operated the pit for many years. The first phase was approved at an earlier meeting.

The brook will not be disturbed during the work because the old bridge abutments will be left in place and the new ones will be farther back. The new two-lane road will allow heavy equipment to enter the site from Route 31, rather than from Cram Hill Road in Lyndeborough.

Of major concern to board members was protection of Stoney Brook from runoff. Several times silt has been observed in the brook, but the source has not been pinpointed. It was noted that the Pike operation abuts a similar operation run by Granite State Concrete.

Member Alec MacMartin questioned whether runoff from Granite State flowed through this property via a culvert at the site.

Member Matt Fish said silt in the brook has been photographed “and this is the time to deal with it.”

Board Chairman Mark Whitehill noted, “The engineers have no problem with (this plan). They are increasing the treatment for Stoney Brook, reducing the amount of discharge.”