By Beth David, Editor
In a joint meeting of the Acushnet Selectboard and Soil Board 4/11/23, the town met with a representative of PJ Keating to choose a peer review consultant to review the Soil Removal Permit Application filed by PJK. The hearing on 4/11 was a continuation of a public hearing that last opened on 3/7. The Soil Board is comprised of Selectboard members, with David Wojnar the chair of the Selectboard and Kevin Gaspar the chair of the Soil Board.
At the 3/7 meeting, the board and company went over the application in some detail and continued the hearing while both sides came up with names of peer review consultants.
The town submitted three names and an alternate, and the company submitted three names. No one chose the same company.
The town said its preference was for Weston and Sampson because they are local. They also submitted Wilcox & Barton, Geosyntec, and GDA.
Attorney Luke Legere, representing PJK, said they had concerns that Weston & Sampson did not have the geotechnical level of expertise required.
He said Geosyntec and GDA would probably be the best fit.
Mr. Gaspar said that W&S said they have a geologist and hydrologist on staff, so he believed they could do the job.
Mr. Wojnar asked if PJK had any business with any of the firms mentioned, saying he did not want to get into any conflicts of interest.
Mr. Legere said he believed they did not, but had only gotten the names just before the meeting. He said he is “certainly” aware of the companies, but has no experience working with them.
The board also discussed the possibility of logistical problems, if the firms are too busy to take on the job immediately.
Mr. Legere also noted that someone mentioned Tighe & Bond as possibility.
“I’m very confident they would be qualified as well,” said Mr. Legere.
After more discussion, Mr. Gaspar said that Town Administrator Jaime Kelley had chosen the firms and is familiar with them, so he would be comfortable using Geosyntec or GDA.
The two boards voted in a join motion to contact Geosyntec, and GDA as an alternate.
Mr. Gaspar stressed that the company should notify the town immediately if they find a conflict.
Mr. Legere assured the down board that it is in the best interest of PJK to get the work done as quickly as possible.
In a related matter, Mr. Gaspar asked for plans on existing conditions at the quarry. He said the plans they got were outdated.
Mr. Legere said those plans were in the process of being drawn up.
“We heard that request loud and clear,” he said.
Mr. Gaspar also asked if PJK had any recommendations or suggestions on any of the conditions of the permit that they “just can’t meet,” such as the sloping of the quarry walls.
Mr. Legere said they had nothing to add but they have “not lost sight of it.”
Only one member of the public commented.
David Desroches said the permit application asks for a number of variances, but the soil bylaw does not have a variance paragraph. He said they need to go to Town Meeting to change a bylaw and get a 2/3 vote.
Mr. Gaspar noted that most bylaws have a variance provision, but it was left out of that one.
“That’s a discussion we may have to have,” he said.
The board continued the hearing to Wednesday, 4/26, at 4 p.m. at the Council on Aging/Senior Center.
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