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South Thomaston residents urge stronger rules as select board holds public hearing on proposed mineral-extraction moratorium
Summary
At a public hearing, residents urged the Select Board to adopt a six-month moratorium on mineral extraction to allow the town to strengthen land‑use rules; an operator opposed the timing and offered monitoring measures. The board discussed scope, retroactivity and ordinance review timelines.
A public hearing in South Thomaston on June 3 drew multiple residents urging a temporary ban on mineral extraction and blasting so the town can update its zoning rules.
The moderator opened the hearing on Article 6 — the proposed mineral extraction moratorium — and asked those in favor to speak first. Several residents from the town spoke in support, saying the town’s land‑use ordinances lack detail for mineral extraction and that a moratorium would give the ordinance review committee time to create clearer rules.
Not everyone supported immediate action. “I am opposed to the moratorium solely based on its timing,” said Pete Bennett of Main Drilling Blasting, who said his operation is not seeking to expand production and that selling some material helps offset costs. Bennett offered voluntary mitigation steps, including pre‑blast surveys, water testing and site evaluations every six months for neighbors who accept the company’s offer.
Board members and attendees discussed what information the planning board previously requested from the quarry applicant and who would supply it. Participants noted the planning board had asked the applicant for additional materials to make a decision; the applicant may return with that information at a future planning board meeting.
The board reviewed how a moratorium would function: it would provide the town time to complete ordinance revisions, likely overseen by the ordinance review committee. The moderator suggested a six‑month to 12‑month timeline for drafting and recommended the board consider using its discretion to extend the moratorium if needed. The moderator also said some moratorium language could be retroactive to permit filings on May 22, 2026, for permit‑application purposes, but emphasized the moratorium is not in effect until the town votes to adopt it.
The hearing produced no final vote on the moratorium; the discussion will inform the select board’s next steps and any future warrant language presented to town meeting.
