Alton suspends blasting at Green Oaks after rock lands in driveway; state and federal investigators involved

Alton — The selectmen on Oct. 14 voted to suspend blasting at a Green Oaks quarry after town responders found a chunk of rock in a Coffin Brook Road driveway that investigators traced to a Sept. 24 detonation at the Green Oaks site.

Chief (fire department) told the board he was notified of the explosion while crews were handling other incidents, then confirmed with police that a fragment found in a driveway came from the quarry blast. He said he conducted door-to-door checks and learned residents across town reported an unusual, loud explosion.

The chief said he contacted an investigator from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the state police licensing bureau, both of which are reviewing the event. He said the town has not yet received MSHA’s final report and that MSHA’s work has been delayed by a federal government shutdown. The chief said he has also requested seismograph and charge data from the blaster and submitted those materials to state police.

Town staff estimated the fragment landed about 1,855 feet from the blast site. The chief said he suspended all blasting at the Green Oaks property and that the blaster’s permit was revoked the same day. He told the board he did not yet have enough information to determine whether the cause was negligent practice, improper plugging, prior drilled holes, excessive material used in a single blast, or other factors; he said he wanted to wait for the formal reports before drawing conclusions.

Selectmen expressed concern that abutters and town departments had not been notified when the permit issued. One member said abutters should be told in advance of blasting and recommended the town adopt a local notification policy or ordinance spelling out who must be notified and how far in advance. Town staff acknowledged the town currently lacks a formal notification policy for blast permits and said they will look at communications options, including social media and direct notices.

Officials said liability generally rests with the licensed blaster and the quarry operator and that MSHA and state police licensing processes are the primary enforcement paths. The chief said potential outcomes could include suspensions of licensing or fines if federal and state investigators find violations.

The selectmen directed staff to await MSHA and state reports and to report back when those findings are available. The board paused blasting activity at the site pending the outcome of those investigations.