Analyst: Controversial Ledyard quarry project will eventually create $1M in tax revenue

Nov. 14—LEDYARD — A consultant hired by the town estimated Thursday at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting that the 40-acre Gales Ferry Intermodal site being considered for a quarry application would eventually contribute more than $1 million a year to the town's tax base.

Donald Poland of Goman + York in East Hartford cited the impact of the proposed construction of three buildings totaling 26,000 square feet on the former Dow Chemical site off Route 12 within the next 13 years.

According to Poland, the site would generate an average of about $500,000 in new tax revenue by years 10 and 11 after approval of the quarry, which would clear land that later can be used to construct the commercial buildings. Before then, he said, there is very little tax impact from the project.

"When the development is stabilized in year 12, the site is projected to be net positive by approximately $1,064,192," according to Poland's slide shown Thursday.

He added that the quarry project would lead to an estimated 77 full-time-equivalent jobs on a temporary basis and 130 permanent full-time jobs in the region. The effect would create an extra $7.6 million in revenue in the region, he said.

It was projected that by year 13, Gales Ferry Intermodal, which now is the town's fourth-largest taxpayer, would move up to second behind Eversource.

Poland also noted that studies of real estate impacts from industrial projects show that home prices are usually hit hardest during the period when a proposal is being considered by regulatory authorities, as opposed to during the actual development period.

"I find no evidence that quarries reduce home prices," he said, citing a study.

He added the land is an industrial site.

"From a land-use perspective, there's not much change going on," Poland said.

Members of the audience were outraged by the comments, yelling out, "We don't want it," and "Isn't this a waste of time?" before they were asked to not interrupt the speaker.

About 60 people attended the hearing, with another three dozen or so participating on Zoom. The public had not yet had the chance to speak after 2 1/2 hours.

In testimony submitted before the hearing Thursday, residents reiterated their objections to the project which include concerns about quarry dust management, traffic, noise, impact on their home values and a historic fort and the legal implications of approving the project.

"Any dust on my windows or car, or in evidence at Juliet Long and Ledyard Middle Schools will result in a lawsuit against the Cashman Company, albeit too late to prevent harm," resident Jim Gauld said in an email. "That action will also be initiated if life in the Thames River system is compromised."

Gales Ferry Intermodal is a division of Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co. of Quincy, Mass.

Kim and Jim Millar of Gales Ferry also voiced concern in written testimony, emphasizing the health effects created by the release of silica dust created by quarrying operations at the 40-acre site.

"Young children attending the elementary and middle schools close to the proposed GFI operation will be at increased risk both for immediate health consequences and long-term consequences," the Millars said. "It is unconscionable for our community to allow this to happen to our vulnerable children."

Silica dust released in blasting that would be conducted on the site was also a topic of scientific testimony given in person at the last P&Z meeting Oct. 24.

"It is extremely toxic material," Phil Fiore, a retired Pfizer inc. scientist and Gales Ferry resident, told the commission at the meeting. "The fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis."

Nearby Gales Ferry Methodist Church also weighed in against the quarry, saying in a letter that the 32 acres of its campus directly abut the Cashman property and that "we have serious concerns over the effects the proposed operations would have on our campus and the health hazards that would be presented to both the congregation members and the children serviced by the state sanctioned child care center that operates on the property during the week."

The church said it is also concerned about the effects of quarry blasting on the foundation of its buildings as well as the danger of increased traffic when parents drop off and pick up their children at the day care center.

Patricia Marcek of 711 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, said she moved to the area because of its rural setting and freedom from noise.

"The proposal to create a gravel pit is contrary to everything Gales Ferry and Ledyard represent," Marcek said in a letter to the commission. "The idea that a gravel pit will not create noise pollution, excess heavy traffic, dust, and an overall unhealthy environment for the citizens of our town is unrealistic."

Marcek also voiced concern about local wildlife, particularly bald eagles that frequent Mount Decatur.

In a Nov. 10 analysis of the quarry project's proposals for environmental mitigation and blasting submitted by outside consultants Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. of Burlington, Mass., the group suggested that vibration associated with blasting might cause damage to homes on Anderson Drive.

The consultants found predictions about the release of particulate into the air to be reasonable, but "to provide additional protection for the surrounding community, our finding is that the applicant must continuously monitor particulate matter emissions to ensure that there are no exceedances associated with the site development and aggregate production efforts."

Outside engineer Doug Ostler of Weston & Sampson, who reviewed the GFI-funded traffic study, said Thursday he didn't expect traffic to be significantly heavier based on estimated numbers supplied by the applicant, though the new truck traffic "will be noticeable."

The hearing was expected to be continued to next Thursday at 6 p.m. at Ledyard Middle School. The application must be voted on by next month.