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Local stonecutter outlines plan to reopen Milford granite operations; Planning Board holds conceptual review
Summary
Freddie Peel presented a conceptual site plan for a small 3,200‑square‑foot metal storage and cutting building at the active granite quarry; board took no vote and directed the applicant to finalize a site plan for the Aug. 19 meeting.
A Milford stonecutter told the Planning Board on Tuesday that he has bought a small triangular parcel behind the existing office at the active granite quarry and plans to install a roughly 3,200‑square‑foot metal storage building to accommodate cutting and saws for local granite production.
Freddie Peel, who said he and partners purchased the lot from the Ramos family after negotiating to keep the quarry’s local stone production alive, presented the board with a conceptual layout for the building at 102 Armory Road. Peel described the structure as “really a shell that'll hold some water and a little electricity” to house a wire saw and bridge saw and said he intends to “expand it and to work with the Milford granite again.”
Terry Dolan, Town Planner, explained the submission was being presented as a conceptual review and that a full site‑plan application will be required for a later hearing. Several board members noted the plan needs adjustments on the final site plan: the proposed building footprint likely must be shifted to avoid an access road and a well on the property, and abutter notices will apply if the final submission results in reconfiguration.
Vice chair Janet Langdell asked about hours of operation, traffic and noise; Peel replied hours would be “the same hours of operation that Timmy had,” describing the operation as primarily a fabricating/cutting business that receives quarry stone from upslope rather than quarrying on site. Peel also said he expects a handful of workers (he mentioned family members and a few trainees) and that finished material will be stored on site and sold to hardscape and monument customers.
No vote or formal action was taken; the board directed the applicant to file a full site plan for review at the Aug. 19 Planning Board meeting. Town staff said they would assist with identifying the correct lot (Peel and staff clarified the triangular parcel behind the office is separate from other lots on Armory Road) and with abutter notification.
Why it matters: The proposal would re‑introduce local stone cutting and small‑scale manufacturing activity in an existing industrial area; while the board raised site‑plan and access details, the conceptual presentation faced no opposition and drew historical context from a longtime local stonecutter.
Next steps: Applicant to submit full site‑plan materials and revised drawings; Planning Board to consider the full application on Aug. 19.
