Massachusetts

A group of 10 Granby residents filed an appeal asking the court to annul Stony Hill Sand and Gravel Co.’s special use permit on the grounds that the frequent truck traffic would pose health and safety problems in their residential area. The Republican reports that the business requested the special permit from Granby. The township failed to make a decision within the required 90 days of the first public hearing, which took place in June 2010. Without action, the special permit was deemed approved, but community residents had 20 days to file an appeal, and they did. The group’s appeal names Stony Hill, the property owner, and three members of the Granby Select Board as defendants. Now, the group, the town, and the company will all bear the costs of litigation.

Montana

At press time, Helena Sand & Gravel and Lewis and Clark County were waiting for a decision from District Court Judge Kathy Seeley over its three-year-long zoning conflict. According to the Independent Record, the operator filed a complaint against the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission in July 2008, alleging that the commission adopted standards without regard to the county growth policy, engaged in illegal spot zoning, and damaged the value of the company’s property without just compensation. The suit came after the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved zoning regulations that prevented the company from expanding its 111-acre gravel operation on its 440-acre property. A trial date has not been set.

New York

Two juveniles were taken into Blasdell Village Police custody in early November following fires set in two vacant structures at Buffalo Crushed Stone Co.’s site near Woodlawn. WGRZ reports that residents noticed smoke in the area and called the local fire department. The local fire chief told the television station that the fires were caused by arson, and police found the two juvenile suspects. No injuries were reported.

Pennsylvania

Silvi Concrete, Inc. hosted a fundraiser to support Mike Fitzpatrick, who won election to the U.S. House of Representatives as representative of the state’s 8th Congressional District. The two-hour event featured a luncheon for more than 200 guests, as well as speeches from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker, with speakers talking of smaller government, lower taxes, and less regulation. Fitzpatrick defeated incumbent Patrick Murphy on Nov. 2.