North Smithfield peer review on Materials Sand & Stone quarry delayed until September as consultant seeks interviews

Richard Grubb of Follett Street told the North Smithfield Town Council on Aug. 18 that residents want a clearer timeline for the peer review of the Materials Sand & Stone quarry application, saying, “It's been way too long.”

Town Administrator Gibbs said the town hired GZA to do a peer review and that GZA will likely complete a draft by Sept. 8 but is delaying the public hearing until the council's second meeting in September so GZA can finish its factfinding and present to the public. Gibbs said GZA asked to meet one-on-one with the quarry's experts; the key missing contact is a groundwater specialist the consultant needs to interview before finalizing its report.

The peer-review process has followed a series of earlier hearings and workshops stretching back to February. Grubb summarized that timeline in public comment, noting workshops and planning-board presentations on Feb. 10 and Feb. 13, multiple public hearings in February and March, and the council's May and July updates on consultant selection and scope discussions. He asked that the council publish a timetable for all remaining tests and procedural steps, and asked whether the planning board still must make a recommendation and whether residents will have opportunities to propose stipulations if an overlay or variance is negotiated.

Gibbs described the specific scheduling problem: the quarry's lead expert has been on extended leave and will not be available until after Labor Day. He said that without the in-person interview GZA cannot finish its review with confidence, and GZA is arranging an on-site meeting during the week after Labor Day. Gibbs added that the scope of GZA's work was expanded to include interviews and that Materials Sand & Stone agreed to pay the additional fees for that expanded scope.

Council members and the public voiced two recurring concerns: (1) the delay and lack of a clear public timeline and (2) whether the company would still pay the consultant's costs if the schedule forces the town to proceed without the company's expert. Gibbs said the town had negotiated the arrangement and that Materials had agreed to the expanded scope and fee, but that the town would watch closely in case the company later refused payment.

Gibbs said the council will re-advertise the public hearing once GZA's timetable is firm. He and council members discussed holding the hearing at the school auditorium again and indicated they are aiming for a September council meeting date for the public presentation and hearing.

The council did not take a formal vote on the quarry matter during the Aug. 18 meeting; the discussion was a status update and scheduling decision.

The record shows the town continues to rely on GZA as the peer-review firm and expects a more complete public presentation after the consultant completes interviews and finalizes its draft report.