Outrage in Falls Village Justified
September 22, 2006 on 2:54 pm | In Local, Main |
Monday in Falls Village, one of the two stone quarries on Sand Road set off an explosion to loosen rock for its extensive mining operation. That in itself isn’t unusual. In fact, it happens regularly. But this time something strange and dangerous happened.
Dozens of stones, some of them as large as my foot (I’m size 11 1/2, for those who are already planning their holiday shopping), rained down on two nearby properties. When I heard about it, I went to one of the affected homes. The news story about my visit can be found here. The photo of the largest stone I saw is at left. The wide-angle lens on my camera makes the Giumarros’ home look farther away from the stone than it actually is.
The people I interviewed were upset but calm. They were miffed but not shaking their fists. Rest assured, though, they were angry about what they described as “an industrial accident.” Bob and Ruth Giumarro and Frank and Maggie Ruotolo revived Concerned Citizens of Falls Village and held an impromptu meeting with a reporter in the Giumarros’ kitchen. They simply wanted answers.
“This was a dangerous situation,” Bob said as he pointed to a stone that bordered on boulderdom. “It could have killed someone.”
Damn right, it could have. I’m sure that even a smaller stone traveling at such a velocity could have killed an adult with a blow to the head. And the company that owns the quarry, Century Aggregate of Troy, N.Y., is lucky, too. If a flying stone had struck and killed the Giumarros’ granddaughter — or anyone else for that matter — the company would surely have been named in a major wrongful death suit, to say nothing of the possibility of criminal negligence.
I wasn’t surprised when company officials didn’t return a call seeking comment. But after seeking advice from the town’s atorney, First Selectman Pat Mechare directed Zoning Enforcement Officer Michael O’Neil to issue a cease-and-desist order against blasting operations at the quarry until further notice.
Someone dropped the ball here. I’m no expert on rock mining, although I did cover the industry while working in Dutchess County. Common sense tells us that either Century used too many explosives, or that the placement of the dynamite was faulty, or that efforts to contain the flying rocks were inadequate. In any case, the company has a lot of explaining to do. Perhaps the video footage reportedly taken of the incident will reveal the cause.
This accident brings up the age-old tension between consumers, residents and industry. I lived in Canaan for 12 years, only about a mile and a half as the crow flies from the giant former Pfizer quarry on Lower Road. On those rare occasions when I happened to be home during the business day and blasting was scheduled, the explosion would shake my windows. I can only imagine what it was like for those who lived closer.
No one wants to live near a quarry, particularly one that allows this kind of episode to occur. But we need the stone. It goes into so many things: home foundations, sheet rock, road paving, railroad beds, even the lines that go on your kids’ soccer field.
But every step imaginable must be taken to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. Lives are at stake. Perhaps Century officials will have some answers when they appear before the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in this topic, be there.
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My sympathies go out to the people whose homes and perhaps lives were in jeapordy of harm from this unfortunate turn of events of rocks being flung onto their properties as well as any roads they may have proven to be in harm’s way. As noted, this consequence of blasting is likely a terrible oversight on the company’s part, unintentional and such.
Thankfully, the neighbors and press are drawing immmediate attention to the situation and concerned citizens and the Selectwoman are taking necessary precautions to investigate and prevent future incidents.
Gathering information about the safety policies and procedures and discussing concerns candidly and thoroughly should bring about necessary mandates and changes to prevent such trouble in the future. At the least, neighbors could be notified perhaps of blasting that could possibly have the slimmest chance of going awry.
Safety is something we should be able to expect, but clearly need to advocate for vigilantly.
In our communities, watching out for traffic safety, and neighborhood safety can become more of a shared responsibility. All are invited to community forums in Sharon at the Town Hall on Oct 1 and Oct 15th from 1 to 3 pm to share concerns and ideas for enhancing life and participation in small towns. There is an article in this weeks Journal with more details.
Comment by Catherine Paton — September 22, 2006 #
As a resident of Sand Road, neither my family or any of the others who live on the street alongside the quarries have been asked to be involved in community oversight. Expressing that concern has made no difference.
That said, it may explain why the issue of limestone laden, apparently overloaded trucks tearing up and down our street has not been addressed. It is not a concern for our neighbors on Belden Street. Yes, they have their legitimate concerns with safety. They also need to understand the perils of living below the quarries.
One of the quarry trucks was stopped for speeding in Canaan, after a Town Hall worker brought to the resident state trooper large chunks of limestone that flew off a truck and into her front yard. I could be wrong, but I thought loads needed to be covered with tarp that sits flush with the top of the truck. Overloading and speed are the issues.
That was months ago. Things have not improved.
Just the other day, my children removed a pile of rocks fist-sized or greater from the end of our driveway - while they waited there for the school bus. As they did so, a truck headed from the Century Acquisitions quarry a short distance away, seeming to us to already be exceeding the speed limit. I encourage my kids to wave so the truck drivers are reminded they are driving through a neighborhood where children live. They sometimes blow their horn, but don’t slow down.
BTW - the two Troy Sand and Gravel trucks that can be seen all day long on Sand Road and in the middle of Canaan are from Century Acquisitions)
I am all for thriving companies adding to the tax base by running a legitimate operation that provides a needed product. We deal with the noise without complaint. All I ask is that they obey the law, and the issues of truck traffic be brought into the discussion.
As one of the few straight stretches around, and a convenient feeder road, Sand Road is already a raceway for the majority of drivers. We have an existing problem that has been made worse. Let’s address that, please.
Comment by Karen Bartomioli — September 23, 2006 #
Unfortunately, the only way any of this will be resolved satisfactorily will be when someone gets gravely injured or killed and a lawsuit is filed. Many businesses today seem to only respond to complaints when their bottom line is at stake. Perhaps the residents of Sand Road (in Falls Village and Canaan, because the trucks go all the way up. Hey, why not include the residents of High Street in Canaan as well? They have the potential to be affected by the quarry trucks) should band together, form their own “Concerned Citizens” group and sue Century Acquisitions. I am really quite serious about this. Perhaps a lawsuit would make the suits in the corner offices realize what is going on around here, because I’m sure they haven’t a clue.
Comment by Amy — September 25, 2006 #
Full Disclosure Notification: I don’t live on either street I mentioned above, but I do have family that does.
Comment by Amy — September 25, 2006 #
Well, it seems that Terry and the editorial writer for the Sept 28 Lakeville Journal have a bit in common.
A bit hysterical Terry? “…one that allows this kind of episode to occur.” ????? Sure, they thought it would be fun!! A precursor to the 4th of July? A novel way to welcome Steve Blass home? sure.
The fault is with the blasting company. Contrary to common “wisdom,” you cannot just go and buy explosives of this caliber (pun intended). The rules and regs are many on all levels.
Something went wrong. No one was injured, thank God. People became fightened and anxious, take a valium.
IF the press is truly interested in this incident, we should see follow up stories on the P&Z hearing, as well as regular updates concerning the investigation.
But, for now, let’s play detective!!!
Come, Watson, the game is afoot!!
1. What was the experience of the explosive tech?
2. What was the formualtion of the explosive?
3. What conditions was it stored in?
4. How old was the explosive?
5. How was the charge weight determined?
6. How was the placement of the charges determined?
7. What was the geology of the section to be removed?
8. Were test borings done to determine the density of the section?
9. Get the idea?
This is not a simple case of too much explosive. There are questions that need to be asked and answered; I doubt that any reader of this blog or any of the layman parties involved can begin to consider.
I agree with my wife; those of us that live on Sand Road are at risk daily from the quarry trucks exceeding the speed limit, accompanied by the other cars and trucks that also think our road is part of Lime Rock Track. Calls to Troop B and the Selectmen are a waste of time. However, calls to Century Acquistions get results, for a few days, then things pick up again.
Suing a company because you don’t like their business model is narrow minded thought at its “best.” Unless I am completely mistaken, the quarries were here before many of the residents. YOU moved into the area. IF you did not know about the quarry, that is your problem, get over it, or move. When we built our house, we knew it was between 2 quarries, and although Redwing was dormant, it could resume operations. We also knew that the train runs through our backyard.
Comment by Paul Bartomioli — September 29, 2006 #
Paul,
My story on the P&Z hearing is now up on our website. Click here to read it.
Thanks for making me feel like a lefty. Fred thinks I am the second coming of Rush Limbaugh. Also, thanks for the suggestions for follow-up questions.
Comment by Terry — September 29, 2006 #