Published: July 25, 2007 09:54 pm      

TOWN OF NIAGARA: LaFarge meets with neighbors

Quarry hosts meeting, admits more communication is needed about blastings

About 50 people attended an informational meeting Wednesday to learn about the business practices of LaFarge quarry in The Town of Niagara.

However, at least one person in attendance left with the feeling she’s heard it all before.

“It was the same repetitive public relations ‘BS,’ ” said Sharon Ruth, a resident of Tuscarora Village located next to the quarry. “I think LaFarge is under pressure and are doing damage control.”

For the past several months, Ruth and her neighbors have complained effects from the blasts have damaged their manufactured homes and presented health hazards. After a series of discussions and environmental testing, the quarry was ordered by the town in June to cease and desist the rock blastings.

Last week, the quarry was granted permission to conduct a test blast. Bill Poole, general manager of LaFarge’s eastern U.S. region, said a normal schedule of blastings will resume Friday.

“We are OK to continue with our operations,” Poole said. “We will continue operating within our limits and continue communicating with neighbors on how we can make things better.”

Wednesday’s meeting, held at Niagara Active Hose Fire Hall, was hosted by LaFarge representatives and designed to help residents understand the blasting process and learn what the company is doing to address health concerns. Several packets of information detailing the quarry’s blasting and dust management plans were made available. A handful of booths were set up detailing LaFarge’s history, blasting and vibration levels and safety and environment issues.

After visitors had the chance to visit each booth, a Powerpoint presentation was conducted by Poole. A 30-minute question-and-answer period followed.

“We need to do a better job communicating with our neighbors,” Poole told the crowd. “We take safety very seriously.”

Tuscarora Village is located within 100 yards of the quarry’s east end. The company has plans to blast on that side through October before moving to the opposite end.

Residents don’t think their homes can sustain blastings for that long. They’ve hired the law firm of Magavern, Magavern and Grimm to represent them in the ongoing dispute against not only LaFarge, but also the owners of Tuscarora Village for allegedly not being upfront about the potential hazards. Attorney Richard Grimm said the firm represents a number of the village’s residents and is still investigating whether a lawsuit is appropriate.

Grimm said Wednesday’s community meeting was helpful to his clients.

“We wanted to learn what LaFarge’s intentions are and I think we’re more clear after tonight,” he said. “I don’t know if they’ve satisfied all of our concerns, however.”

According to Tuscarora Village residents, vibrations from the blastings have damaged a large percentage of their homes, including some that are severely damaged. LaFarge officials maintain the blasting levels are under federal guidelines.

Patrick Matkozich, a geologist and vibration consultant with Vibra-Tech, said he doesn’t doubt the vibrations are felt by the nearby residents, but in his expert opinion, the levels are not enough to damage the manufactured homes.

When asked whether the blasting vibrations are causing the damage being claimed, Matkozich answered, “based on our information, no.”

Poole invited residents to attend LaFarge’s quarterly committee meetings to discuss further issues.