Selectmen Approve Two Earth Removal Permits, Review Special Town Meeting Warrant

At their Sept. 23 meeting, Selectmen voted to approve earth removal permits for Kirkwood Printing and Burlington Self Storage. 

Selectmen voted 5-0 to grant an earth removal permit for Kirkwood Printing at 904 Main St.

According to project engineer Eugene Sullivan, Kirkwood Printing is looking to expand in order to consolidate its operations to its property at 904 Main St., and would need to conduct some blasting as part of the construction. 

Town Manager Jeff Hull reported the Public Works Superintendent, Water and Sewer Superintendent, Building Inspector, Health Director and Planning Director all recommended approval of the earth removal permit.

Sullivan said Kirkwood had submitted to an Environmental Protection Agency review of the proposed project, and EPA found no potential negative impacts from the project on the surrounding area. 

"The EPA reviewed it, and said it was highly unlikely anything would cause problems for the surrounding neighborhoods or exacerbate any [current issues]," Sullivan said.

Selectmen Chairman Michael McCoy said he would like to see wells in the area closely monitored during the blasting and earth removal process.

"I do understand some of the residents concern relative to the blasting," McCoy said. "I would like to see the wells monitored before during and after the blasting."

Selectman Judy O'Connell asked Sullivan to go into more detail on the blasting process.

Sullivan said the drilling and blasting and subsequent earth removal process would take six to eight weeks at the most, while about 1,000 truckloads of earth is expected to be removed from the site during that period. 

Kirkwood will have to apply for a separate permit through the Fire Department to receive approval for the blasting to take place at 904 Main Street.

Selectmen also voted 5-0 in favor of granting an earth removal permit for Burlington Self Storage at 114 West St. 

The company is currently in the final days of the blasting process, and will be removing approximately 6,000 cubic yards of rock from the site, according to John Christopher who was representing Burlington Self Storage at Monday's meeting.

Resident Michael Roberts, of West Street, voiced concerns about drilling that had been occurring at 114 West St. on Saturdays as well as how many truck trips it would take to remove the earth that was blasted. 

Christopher said it would take approximately 200 trips to remove the rock from the construction site, and that it wouldn't be a problem to stop drilling on Saturdays.

Selectmen also reviewed the warrant for the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting, and signed the warrant. 

There are three articles on the warrant, the first asking voters to approve the appropriation of funds for the purchase of property at 120 Main St.

The 7.86 acre parcel is owned by the Archdiocese of Boston and is currently  part of St. Dorothy's Parish.

The purchase price for the property is $1,725,000, according to Town Manager Jeff Hull.

The second article was submitted by Planning Director Carole Hamilton in order to change the zoning for the current highway industrial zone to permit personal service shops such as hairdressers. 

The third article is a petition from resident Kevin Brennan requesting a zoning change for 276 Lowell St. from residential (R-20) to general business.

Special Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Wilmington Middle School.