Biomass truck traffic would be problem

While opinions varied concerning the environmental impact of the proposed biomass plant in North Springfield, everyone agreed that increased truck traffic into the neighborhood is an issue.
http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/biomass-truck-traffic-would-be-problem-north-springfield

Biomass Truck Traffic Would Be Problem For North Springfield
Submitted by VT Journal on Wed, 03/14/2012 - 9:34am
By
Cindy Johnson



SPRINGFIELD, VT -While opinions varied concerning the environmental impact of the proposed biomass plant in North Springfield, everyone agreed that increased truck traffic into the neighborhood is an issue.

Over 300 people attended the Vermont Public Service Board hearing at Springfield High School cafeteria Tuesday night to listen to mostly North Springfield residents air their views at the public comment forum--part of the process developer Winstanley Enterprises must follow to gain the required Certificate of Public Good from the State of Vermont. While the majority of speakers were against the plant, a few spoke in favor of the proposed facility.

As many residents stated, truck traffic into the North Springfield Industrial Park is already a problem --one even presented the Board with a DVD made of traffic problems at the corner of County Road and Main Street. Winstanley project manager Dan Ingold acknowledged earlier in the day that improved truck access from Route 10 would likely need to be built. The Town of Chester has filed for intervenor status because of its concerns over truck traffic and traffic-related air quality issues for that town.

43 speakers, ranging in age from 11-year-old Coty to 85-year-old Jean Willard, rose to address the Board. Some residents who spoke had issues with water usage and possible ground water and well contamination. A few young mothers spoke about air quality worries for the health of young children living and playing in the neighborhood of the proposed plant. Some asthma and allergy sufferers expressed doubts about air particulates released from the plant. Two men, who represented themselves as in the logging industry, spoke in favor of the plant.

Other noteworthy speakers were: Tom Bock, Chairman of Chester Planning Commission, who brought issue with the large number of new trucks that would come through the town of Chester; Harry Henderson (Springfield Public Works Director), who spoke as a resident of North Springfield about the need for insurance protection for residents to alleviate losses if the plant adversely affected their wells; Mary Ann Remolador, Energy Coordinator for the Town of Springfield, who expressed concern about oversight and the need for transparency to keep residents informed—she recommended a zero tolerance for mismanagement at the plant; Bob Flint, Director of Springfield Regional Development Corporation, who spoke about the history of the Fellows Gear Shaper building. He stated that when the former owners filed for bankruptcy in 2002 other interested buyers wanted the building for the scrap value of the steel, but Winstanley Enterprises purchased the site and put 10 million dollars into the building, leading to two area businesses moving in and expanding. Mr. Flint went on the state that due to Brownfield issues of contamination at other industrial sites in Springfield, the North Springfield Industry Park is the only viable site for economic development in the town. Jean Willard, a former Select Board member whose father farmed land in North Springfield, who spoke mainly of concerns with water and whether current water supplies in the town could meet the needs of the proposed plant without jeopardizing residential water supplies. She also spoke of possible contamination caused by wastewater from the plant. Hallie Whitcomb wanted to know from the Town of Springfield how this project would affect water supplies. She also wanted to know why some communities in Massachusetts had raised “active and successful” campaigns against biomass plants.

In related business, Springfield Town Manager, Bob Forguites confirmed that the town has asked Aldrich + Elliott Water Resources Engineers, long-time consultants for the town, to look into water issues concerning the plant.

This hearing can be seen on Springfield Area Public Access Television, SAPA TV.