Belfast Republican Journal article on junk @ GAC Searsport selectboard on GAC cleanup plan - but 1st on a junkyard plan Selectmen Table Junkyard Application. By Stephanie Grinnell | Dec 19, 2014 SEARSPORT — There was much discussion but little action on the part of Searsport Selectmen Dec. 16 as they addressed a junkyard application and a proposed plan for GAC Chemical Corp. to clean up contamination of its Mack Point property. Grimmel Industries LLC, a scrap metal recycling company, submitted an application to open a junkyard on Mack Point, an industrial area of town. While selectmen ultimately decided to table the application, citing a need for additional information, there was some discussion. “I want to do this right, especially since its the first one,” Selectmen Chairman Aaron Fethke said. Town Manager James Gillway said there are only a few criteria for selectmen to consider, including proper screening of the operations taking place on 2.5 acres. He said the application submitted by Grimmel states there will be no shredding of automobiles — a noise concern brought up by Selectman Jack Merrithew — and screening should not be an issue as the only abutter wants the business located there. In its application, Grimmel described the operation as a marine transfer yard and estimated truck traffic to be limited to around 10 trucks, or four rail cars, per day. Boston resident John Hassey suggested selectmen be wary and conduct due diligence prior to granting a junkyard permit to Grimmel. He noted there have been ongoing noise and environmental issues with the companys Portsmouth, N.H., location. According to previously published reports, Pease Development Authority declined to renew a contract with Grimmel and requested the company cease operations and clean up its 3-acre site on Piscataqua River before the end of the year. The development authority and Grimmel originally entered into a contract in Portsmouth in 2002. In 2011, the company was ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency to stop allowing runoff into the river. According to EPA documents, “ … stormwater discharges from Grimmels metal scrapyard operation contain metals, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand which exceed permit benchmarks. Further the stormwater discharges contain mercury and PCBs …” The state of New Hampshire issued a warning to limit consumption of salt water fish as well as lobster, according to the EPA. It is unclear when selectmen will next address the application. An item not listed on the agenda also drew debate. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Ron Huber with Friends of Penobscot Bay shared maps and photos with selectmen of the proposed Voluntary Response Action Program — or VRAP — submitted by GAC to Maines Department of Environmental Protection. The VRAP outlines plans to clean up contamination on GAC property. Huber encouraged selectmen to extend an area of slope stabilization. “At this point, the [DEP] is asking the town to take a look at this [VRAP],” Huber said. Gillway noted later in the meeting the documents are available at the Town Office for public viewing. Selectman Meredith Ares offered her thanks to those who pushed for the VRAP and to town officials for making much of the information public. She also speculated about who might be responsible for any future clean-up of the site if additional problems are found. Resident Harlan McLaughlin made another request of selectmen: to contact DEP and ask for compliance monitoring of the area following clean-up efforts. Fethke said it was his understanding GAC will make a presentation of the proposed plan, as well. In other business, selectmen: - Approved a liquor license renewal for The Mermaid at Homeport Inn. - Set a public hearing date of Jan. 20 for changes to Tax Increment Financing. - Approved relocating radio equipment to a new tower being constructed by Waldo County from the old, privately owned tower on Mt. Ephraim. - Approved up to $2,000 to pay for clean up and disposal of fallen trees from the Cemetery Reserve account. - Tabled a decision regarding continued participation in Maine Association of Tourism. - Approved gift certificates for town employees. - Arranged and approved a Jan. 7, 5:30 p.m., workshop meeting to discuss changes in the school district with withdrawal committee chairman Tony Bagley.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 07:19:57 +0000
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