Residents Oppose Proposed East Main Street Concrete Plant

A proposed cement concrete plant has drawn the ire of local residents around town.

The project from FRE Building Corp., Inc, located at 400 East Main Street, has residents concerned about the location, traffic, and environmental impact.

Planning board members Patrick Kennelly and JohnCook both expressed their opposition to the location during a public hearing Tuesday, with Kennelly stating that while he is not against the project, he is unsure about the location.

Zane Circle resident Jeff Howard said he worried about the increase in traffic and the effect the dust from the plant would have, noting that there are two neighborhoods and two daycare centers within 1,500 feet of the plant.

“I would suggest that this is not the appropriate location to place those risks on the town, especially on the young population,” Howard told the board.

According to a traffic study commissioned by FRE Building Corp., about four trucks an hour would leave the plant, with 80 percent of vehicles heading towards Route 495. Town Engineer Vonnie Reis noted that trucks heading towards Route 495 would have to go through two intersections known to have a high accident rate.

Tracy Benincasa of Zane Circle asked if there was a way to change the zoning to prevent a similar project if the current proposal fails, but board member Joseph Calagione said it would be very difficult to petition to change the zoning for a property owned by someone else.

“It’s a concern to me as a mother that we’re talking about this,” Benincasa said.

The Planning Board will pick up the issue again at their Aug. 11 meeting.