Berwick planning board accepts Two Sisters’ mineral‑extraction application as complete after detailed presentation; site walk set for June 25

The Berwick Planning Board accepted as complete a mineral‑extraction application from Two Sisters Working Lands LLC for a seven‑phase sand and gravel operation off Ridland (Ridlon) Road after an extensive presentation and question period at its May 21 meeting.

Kendra Marris, representing Two Sisters, described the project as seven phases of extraction on portions of lots 8 and 15 using an existing wood road widened to 24 feet with 1‑foot gravel shoulders. "We're proposing seven phases for mineral extraction," Marris told the board, adding that each phase would be roughly 10 acres and that DEPs rules limit open pit excavation to no more than 20 acres at a time, so operations will keep phases to 5–10 acres open at once and reclaim phases as they are completed.

Marris told the board the applicant expects about 20 dump‑truck trips per day once the pit is operational, which staff equated to roughly four vehicle trips in the peak hour and approximately the equivalent of eight passenger vehicles under DOT adjustment factors. She proposed operating hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, with the operation closed on Sundays.

On noise mitigation, Marris said the applicant provided a memo from Rooter Associates and plans to meet the town's 60 dB limit at abutting property lines; "the crusher would have to be 725 ft from abutting parcels in order to meet that 60 dB level," she said, noting that natural berming in a cut pit could reduce required separation as phases are excavated and reclaimed. For stormwater, Marris said the pit will be internally drained per HydroCAD modeling while the widened access road will be externally drained and requires a DEP variance; the project includes plans to replace an undersized 2‑ft culvert with a 4‑ft culvert at an existing crossing.

The applicant said a hydrogeology report anticipates the groundwater elevation at about 50 feet below existing grade and that the operation will maintain at least a 5‑foot separation from the groundwater table, with monitoring wells installed prior to construction and quarterly groundwater monitoring reported to DEP. For dust control, the applicant plans water‑truck spraying or calcium chloride and a 100‑foot paved apron at the road entrance.

The board asked for clarification on revegetation, biological surveys, and a requested waiver from a high‑intensity soil survey; Marris said the Maine Natural Areas Program letter found no known rare botanical occurrences but recommended a field survey, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife requested additional wetland photos and documentation. The applicant submitted a medium‑intensity USDA soil survey and asked for a waiver from the heavy test‑pit requirement; the board deferred the waiver decision and asked staff and the town engineer for more technical review.

Following that exchange, George Classen moved and Niles (Nile Shore) seconded a motion to find the application complete; the board voted unanimously to accept the application as complete and scheduled a site walk for June 25 at 4:30 p.m. and a planning‑board meeting/public hearing that evening at 6:30 p.m.

The board specifically invited abutters to attend the site walk and noted that maps and select exhibits will be posted for the hearing. The waiver request remains pending technical review before the board considers it at the June meeting.