Clarksburg Postpones Gravel Crusher Application
 The board on Wednesday tabled a stone-crusher permit until November after it was learned the gravel pit's license may have lapsed. |
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials delayed action on a controversial stone crusher when it was learned a local gravel pit may no longer be permitted.
Michael Milazzo had approached the Board of Selectmen about allowing the crusher to operate at his gravel pit at the top of Wheeler Avenue and Easy Street.
He had planned to surround the crusher with berms to reduce noise and limit its operations; he also had asked to open the gravel pit an hour earlier.
The board became aware that Milazzo had not renewed his two-year permit in 2012 after several citizens searched the 2012 minutes.
"There's going to be much discussion into this," said Selectman William Schrade Jr. on Wednesday. "What I'm seeing on paper is your permit has lapsed. This is a gray area here. It needs to be clarified on our end."
Residents in the general area of the gravel pit, including just over the border in North Adams, had indicated opposition to the crusher. About half-dozen attended Wednesday's meeting.
The board tabled the permit application at Milazzo's request until his attorney could review the situation.
"This has been a gravel pit since the 1960s, before your zoning was in place," said Milazzo.
While the matter was tabled to Nov. 12, the board was still planning to go on a site visit Thursday morning to a gravel operation in Dalton to get a idea of the noise levels.
The board also heard noise complaints about motorcycles taking off from the former Cross Road Variety Store on Cross Road. The building was sold to Arthur and Lisa Thibert in March after a plans to reopen the store fell through.
Thibert is a member of the Reservoir Dogs motorcycle club that had wanted to lease the Homestead bar in North Adams as a clubhouse, but the building was sold.
Robert Bona said neighbors are tired of the late-night noise of revving motorcycles but are afraid to say anything.
"It's not just a building but people who are just breaking the law," he said.
Chairman Jeffrey Levanos, who owns a Harley-Davidson, pointed out that motorcycles make noise — especially a lot of them leaving at once.
"I know it's happened. How would you stop that? Stop every motorcycle?" he said, adding that there had only been a couple complaints.
Town Administrator Carl McKinney said the town was aware of the issue and working toward a resolution.
In other business, the board:
• Appointed McKinney as the town's representative to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority.
• Entered into executive session to discuss the acquisition of land. The town has been looking into purchasing land to build a new Gates Avenue bridge.
Tags: gravel bed, motorcycles, noise, permitting,
