Hearing set for gravel expansion

WILTON – The Planning Board will hold a special meeting, Dec. 8 to begin deliberations on a request by Granite State Concrete to expand its gravel excavations on Route 31 north onto an adjoining 120 acres.

The meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall courtroom, is public, but no further comment will be received from the audience.

On Wednesday, acting Chairman Mark Whitehill distributed an outline of procedures for board members to review and asked that they all review the town’s excavation regulations and all information submitted to the board.

The Granite State plan has been before the board for more than two years and has drawn a lot of opposition from abutters and neighbors who organized under the name Wilton Pit Stop. They have made several presentations to the board.

The expansion area is zoned residential/agricultural, but gravel excavations are allowedthe Planning Board.

Granite State currently operates a gravel crusher on its 22-acre site, crushing rock blasted from nearby ledges. Most of the resulting gravel is hauled to Milford by train.

Neighbors have cited annoying vibrations, noise and dust, and expressed concerns about groundwater contamination, pollution of Stoney Brook, disruption of wildlife corridors, and reduction in property values. They also say the plan is contrary to town regulations and zoning.

The Planning Board closed the public input portion of the proceedings at its regular meeting last month.