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Plainville resident complains about Aggregate Industry blasting

Aug, 15 2012

(PLAINVILLE)  --  A South Street woman complained to selectmen about blasting at Aggregate Industries in neighboring Wrentham, but fire officials said the blasts were within state parameters.

Fire Chief Ted Joubert told selectmen Monday night that blasting in Wrentham that disrupted some Plainville neighborhoods met state guidelines and there was little that could be done about it.

Selectmen received a written complaint from South Street resident Sandy Menyo July 17 regarding a "powerful blast," set off by Aggregate Industries in Wrentham on June 26.

Menyo urged the board and fire chief to monitor and hopefully minimize the effect of the blasts on residents.

In the letter, Menyo said that she had been in contact with Plainville and Wrentham fire chiefs and Aggregate Industries.

Michael Vacci of Aggregate Industries told Menyo he and 10 other employees were monitoring the blast from a home in Wrentham and "considered it a success."

"He said they turned the direction of the blast to appease Wrentham residents, but then it affected another area," Menyo wrote in the letter.

"Our fire chief said a lot of Plainville residents were complaining about the blasting," the letter continued.

Menyo said she has been told in the past that the company is within state guidelines on the blasting, but that a longtime Plainville resident told her Aggregate Industries could be fined for the June 26 blast.

Joubert told selectmen that he advised Menyo to write the letter after speaking with the Wrentham fire chief, who told him that the blast was in compliance with state regulations.

Aggregate Industries monitored a blast from Menyo's home and said conditions were not an issue, Joubert said.

"As long as the blasts are within limits provided by the state, there's nothing I can do," Joubert said. "There's nothing the Wrentham chief can do."

Joubert said blasting in Wrentham should be "winding down," and that the fire chief and Aggregate Industries have done "a good job appeasing to those residents concerned."

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