Aggregate Industries is to limit blasting at its quarry on the Salem-Swampscott line to two times per week, according to a report by Patch.
The decision follows complaints from residents in Swampscott, Salem and Marblehead who said the problem started intensifying in August.
Speaking at a Swampscott select board meeting, Aggregate Industries said the more intense blasting was temporary. One neighbour filed a complaint on a blast which took place on the 16 September, which registered a decibel level of 120. State regulations allow blasting decibel levels up to 130.
Aggregate Industries explained that the more intense blasts were caused by workers trying to reshape the floor of the quarry to reduce flooding. An unnamed representative said the process involved downward blasting, which increased vibrations from the typical mining blasting.
