Bumped: Some people have written powerful and well-informed letters, so this post has been bumped up.
The Projo puts the estimate over 200 and CCRZD is saying it was close to 300 people who turned out last night, donning dust masks to oppose the concrete plant being built off Pontiac Avenue on Marine Drive in Cranston, RI.
One thing that needs to be stressed about the DEM’s approval of this concrete plant is that one stipulation of the permit was that Cullion would remove all trucks from the premises before any threat of heavy rain. As you can see from the picture, they are already breaking the rules. What is the likelihood that they will do the things necessary to keep the plant from posing environmental hazards?
CCRZD is asking people to file objections to the approved permit for the Cullion Concrete Plant on Marine Drive.
Citizens,
Everyone who lives anywhere near the Cullion Concrete plant, and/or cares about our Narragansett Bay, should send a registered letter to Dr. Michael Sullivan, DEM Director, filing an objection to the new Cullion permit, Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557, issued on April 9, 2007.Letter should request a public hearing and should state that the writer is formally appealing the DEM’s action. We have until April 29 to file these objections, and letters should if possible be sent by certified mail, so DEM can’t say that they did not get them. Letter should also mention the fact that although stipulation # 17 on page 3 of the permit states that all vehicles stored on site shall be removed preceding flooding events, that CCRZ&D and others have pictures of at least three vehicles under water that were not removed. Note that the permit was issued on April 9, 2007, and this violation occurred on April 16, 2007, just seven days later. If the DEM lets this one slide, then it’s a clear indication that they will do nothing about future violations.
POSTMARK DEADLINE: April 29
Frank Mattiucci, Pres.
CCRZ&D
Letters should be mailed to Dr. Michael Sullivan, DEM Director, 235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908-5767.
Feel free to use our comments section to post the letters you’ve written to the DEM. I will do so with mine, once I write it.
Kmareka.com 
I’m starting with an email to the director, which will later become a certified letter objecting to the permit.
Dear Dr. Sullivan,
I am a writer and Cranston resident concerned about the concrete plant. I wrote this post today about the problem, particularly in light of last week’s flooding.
I believe granting a permit to Cullion Concrete was a mistake, paritcularly in light of the fact that they are already disregarding stipulations of the permit such as removal of trucks. Here is my post:
https://kmareka.com/?p=1131
Please feel free to provide a response to my post. I will gladly publish it.
Regards,
Kiersten Marek
http://kmareka.com
23 April 2007
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D.
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Re: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
I am writing to you to express my outrage at the decision rendered by your department regarding the above-referenced permit and to notify you that I am formally appealing this action and hereby request a public hearing on the matter.
As a Cranston resident, homeowner and taxpayer whose child plays baseball not far from the proposed concrete batching plant, I am personally affected and fully vested in this issue.
I simply cannot understand the rationale behind your department’s decision to allow a concrete batching plant – of all things – to be located within a wetlands area at the confluence of two fragile rivers that play an important role in our ecosystem.
Furthermore, the permit holder has already violated at least one of the stipulations of the permit just a week after issuance. Clearly, official enforcement of said stipulations will be next to impossible and the burden of ensuring compliance should not be placed on those residents in the immediate area.
DEM has a reputation within RI as a staunch protector of the environment, and many instances are on the record where DEM has intervened to prevent encroachment on wetlands and toxic chemicals from affecting our waterways. However, with this decision, DEM has made a mockery of itself.
I am calling on all elected officials and other governmental executives to uphold your pledge to serve the common good and get involved on behalf of the thousands of residents who are adversely and severely affected by this abhorrent decision.
Thank you,
Mark Lucas
28 Riverfarm Rd.
Cranston, RI 02910
Cc: Governor Donald Carcieri Senator Jack Reed
State Senator Hanna Gallo Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
State Representative Robert Jacquard Representative James Langevin
State Representative Peter Palumbo
Mayor Michael Napolitano
Powerful letter, Mark. Thanks for posting it.
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. April 24, 2007
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Re: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Dr. Sullivan:
I, a 30 year Cranston resident, am writing you to express my very strenuous objection to the DEM’s granting of the so-called Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 to the Karleetor/Cullion Concrete Co. I am formally appealing this action and requesting a public hearing regarding the DEM’s issuance of this permit despite the year-long, strenuous and strong movement by the residents, my neighbors, to halt the construction of a concrete plant in their neighborhood.
For the past year, my husband John and I, along with our neighbors, have been doing all we can to bring a halt to this horror that has been foisted on our neighborhood without any concern for our health, safety and property. We had hoped the DEM would listen to and consider our heartfelt and valid objections based on legal, health, environmental, traffic and financial concerns before rendering a decision about a permit.
As of this writing,it appears the DEM considers our concerns to be insignificant.
I wish I could adequately describe the horror, dismay and disgust I felt when I learned that the DEM had so seemingly and callously granted a permit to Cullion. What does the DEM consider ‘insignificant’ about the proposed concrete plant? Did the DEM ever bother to ask the nearby residents, who will be so directly affected by a concrete plant almost in their backyards, if they think this plant is insignificant? I know neither my husband nor I were ever contacted by the DEM to obtain our opinion of the DEM granting a permit, insignificant or otherwise, to Cullion.
The DEM issued this ‘insignificant’ alteration permit to Karleetor/Cullion Concrete with the stipulation that certain conditions be met. Stipulation #17 stated that all vehicles stored on the site would be removed preceding flooding events. Well, on April 16, 2007, just 7 days after the DEM issued the permit on April 9, 2007, a ‘flooding event’ occurred. Three vehicles were under water at the site of the proposed concrete plant. I saw the flooding that regularly occurs in the area as well as the vehicles left at the site. How does the DEM plan on handling this as well as any future violations of the permit?
The DEM’s issuing of the ‘insignificant’ permit flies in the face of all common sense and is an insult to all the residents of the city of Cranston and in particular to the residents of the neighborhood where the so-called ‘proposed’ concrete plant will be located.
Simply put, a concrete plant simply does not belong in any residential neighborhood & in particular a wetlands area.
This plant does not belong in our neighborhood and the DEM should never have issued a permit to Cullion.
Please honor my appeal and request for a public hearing on this matter.
Very truly yours,
Arlene Kirkland McGarrahan
23 Hamilton Road
Cranston, RI 02910
Another great letter. Thanks, Arlene.
On 4/23/07, Cloonen, Thomas wrote:
Dr. Sullivan,
Your decision is an outrage. Look at the pictures at the web address below. I am formally filing an objection to the new Cullion permit,
Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557, issued on April 9, 2007 and request a public hearing. I have also asked U.S. Senator Jack Reed to intercede at the federal level.
Stipulation # 17 on page 3 of the permit states that all vehicles stored
on site shall be removed preceding flooding events. These pictures show
at least three vehicles under water that were not removed. Note that the
permit was issued on April 9, 2007, and this violation occurred on April
16, 2007, just seven days later. It’s a clear indication that you will
do nothing about future violations if you lets these slide. You cannot
selectively enforce the laws of this state.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stopcranstonconcrete/ProposedCullionConcrete
BatchingPlantSiteCranstonRI02910
Sincerely,
Thomas B. Cloonen
24 Richland Road
Cranston, RI 02910
April 25, 2007
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D.
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Re: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
This letter is to express my frustration, disbelief and outrage at the decision to grant a permit to Karleetor/Cullion Concrete on Marine Drive in Cranston. I am a Cranston resident, a homeowner and a taxpayer. In addition to other residents in the area, I am requesting a formal hearing to appeal this decision.
It makes absolutely no sense to me as to how or why the decision was made to grant this permit to Karleetor/Cullion Concrete. This site is located not only in a residential area, abutting a local sports complex which is utilized by children and off a busy and small road which cannot sustain the added traffic, but is also bordered by two rivers and a rich wetland. Is it not the practice of DEM to shield these wetlands from the extreme environmental impacts that would certainly be brought on by a concrete batching facility? I reside on Lawnacre Drive in the Garden City area of Cranston. The run-off (a brook/stream) of these rivers runs directly behind my home. This wetland area behind my home provides us with serene beauty, plants and animals of all kinds. I am fearful that these beautiful parts of nature will be severely affected by the continued construction of this facility.
Aside from the specific environmental impacts, the permit holder has already boldly violated at least one of the stipulations of the permit just one week after issuance. This is referring to their need to remove vehicles from the lot in the event of a known heavy rain. I don’t know about you, but it was pretty clear from all of the weather forecasts I saw, both nationally and locally, that this area was going to be severely impacted by a nor’easter in the form of heavy rain and wind. It is clear to me that that Karleetor/Cullion does not care to be bothered following the rules set forth by your department, these only in the early phases of this plan. We all know that enforcement on the part of your Department on such a micro-level is next to impossible. It is my guess that Karleetor/Cullion was hoping for the same. It is not our job, as residents of this area to ensure a large company is following the rules.
It has always been my belief that DEM is known for being tough on the impacts of any facility on the environment. I am sadly disappointed at how callously this permit with granted, even after hearing the other side of the argument.
I am asking that DEM and our elected officials and governmental executives reconsider this decision. I urge you to think about how this will negatively impact the neighborhoods surrounding this plant in addition to our already fragile environment.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter,
Cari A Petrella
236 Lawnacre Drive
Cranston, RI 02920
Another beauty. Thanks, Cari. And good idea, Mr. Cloonen — sending a link to the pictures. All forms of media should be used to call attention to this issue.
Kiersten,
This is going out this afternoon.
April 25, 2007
Dr. Michael Sullivan
Director
Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
RE: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Dr. Sullivan,
I am writing to strenuously object to the Insignificant Alteration Permit No. 06-0557 that was issued on April 9, 2007 to Karleetor, LLC for the construction and operation of a concrete batching plant located at 2 Marine Drive, Cranston. The issuance of such a permit that allows the construction of a concrete batching facility in a flood plane defies belief.
I am not a resident of the effected area. I live in the Stonehill section of Cranston. But over the past few months as a columnist for the Cranston Herald, I have personally observed the “pooling� of water on the site where trucks will be parked, equipment stored, and where concrete will be processed. This “pooling� of water on the flood plane is not measured in inches; rather it is measured in feet. Moreover, this water does not drain quickly. So slow is the draining of this water that vegetation has grown in these standing pools of water. There is photographic evidence to support this point.
I understand that DEM has placed twenty conditions on this permit. For example, there is the condition for the construction of a self-contained truck wash that will collect all waste water, thus preventing silica dust from being carried into the abutting rivers. There is also the condition that Karleetor remove its trucks prior to a significant rain event.
Thus far, Karleetor has failed to live by the truck removal condition. Photographs taken of the property after the rain event of nearly two weeks ago establish that this condition was violated. If the permit holder can’t abide by the seemingly simple condition of removing its trucks from the premises, what confidence can DEM have that the condition of the stand-alone self-contained truck wash will be rigorously observed by the permit holder?
And for the record, it is small comfort that most of Karleetor’s hoppers and tanks will be above the known flood levels.
It is for these reasons, as well issues related to the enforcement of the conditions of the permit, that I respectfully appeal the decision of DEM in issuing the permit and request that you conduct a hearing into this matter. The dangers, both immediate and long-term, to the surrounding wetlands and the two abutting rivers warrant a hearing into the merits and wisdom of permitting the construction of a concrete batching facility on the site located at Marine Drive.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey A. Schoos
54 Traymore Street
Cranston, RI 02920
Another fine addition to the letters. Thanks, Geoff. Keep ’em coming!
Dr. Michael Sullivan
Director
Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
RE: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Dr. Sullivan,
I am writing to strenuously object to the Insignificant Alteration Permit No. 06-0557. This permit, issued on April 9, 2007 to Karleetor, LLC for the construction and operation of a concrete batching plant located on Marine Drive in Cranston, presents myriad environmental hazards to the community.
I live in the Eden Park section of Cranston and have friends who live closer to Marine Drive. I am concerned for the health of the entire community affected by concrete plant dust coming from trucks and equipment use, and I am also extremely concerned for the health of the river which will be impacted by pollution from the flooding at the Marine Drive site. The conditions of the permit granted to Cullion have already been violated, as trucks were not removed and sat in the flooded water after the rains of April 15 and 16.
The long and short term hazards of this facility, in the location designated, far outweigh any economic benefit or convenience reaped. Please hold public hearings on this issue so that the community can make clear its opposition to this permit.
Sincerely,
Kiersten Marek
April 25, 2007
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D.
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Re: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
My name is Kate Bousquet, and I am writing on behalf of my husband and my two toddlers, formally appealing DEM’s Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 to Cullion Concrete (issued on April 9, 2007).
I have a degree in Natural Resource Science (URI, 2000) and am an Environmental Educator. Professionally, I was stunned by DEM’s decision to grant permission for a concrete batching plant to be located directly adjacent to the Pawtuxet and Poccasset Rivers, in a wetland/floodplain area in residential Cranston. I have spent countless hours educating adults and school children about water pollution, natural processes of watersheds, and what families can do to minimize/stop non-point source pollution. I cannot understand how RI’s state environmental department could allow an industry to locate itself contiguously to a water resource, where common operations create point source pollution. This decision has already amplified environmental degradation and water pollution.
Personally, I am infuriated by the existence of the concrete plant in a residential area. The woods and cemetery surrounding the “proposed� concrete batching plant is one of the only naturally green spaces that my children and I have access to in our neighborhood. I can no longer safely take my children for exploratory walks in that area. We have seen Cullion Concrete trucks submerged in water during spring rains in 2006 & 2007. I am therefore convinced that executives of that company are NOT environmentally conscious and will NOT comply with the stipulations of the Insignificant Alteration Permit. Only 7 days after receiving permit #06-0557, with stipulation #17 on page 3, at least three vehicles were not removed from the Cullion Concrete site, even with ample warning of the impending Nor’easter.
I expect the officials that I have elected into office, serving for the good of Rhode Island’s citizens, to act responsibly and re-evaluate the situation in my residential neighborhood in Cranston. I demand that DEM take action on this matter.
I am therefore requesting a public hearing on DEM’s action to grant Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557. I also require a response regarding details of DEM’s process from this point forward, sent to my address below.
Thank you,
Kate
Cc: Governor Donald Carcieri Senator Jack Reed
State Senator Hanna Gallo Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
State Representative Robert Jacquard Representative James Langevin
State Representative Peter Palumbo
Mayor Michael Napolitano
Thanks, Kate. It’s wonderful how you used your education and professional experience as well as your personal experience to show your reasons for being opposed to the concrete plant.
Ramsey & Florence
Fordson Avenue Telephone (401) 941-
Cranston, Rhode Island 02910-5911
April 26, 2007
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D.
Director
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Re: Insignificant Alteration Permit #06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete)
Dr. Sullivan,
We are writing to you again.
We never received any kind of a response from our last two-page letter dated March 17, 2007.
Please receive this certified letter as our formal request for a public hearing on this matter.
Our views have already been expressed in our previous letter. We hope someone read it. Or at least it is in some file somewhere to be archived.
Please at least notify us when a public hearing is to take place.
Respectfully,
Ramsey Florence
Cc: Governor Donald Carcieri, Senator Jack Reed
State Senator Hanna Gallo, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
State Representative Robert Jacquard, Representative James Langevin
State Representative Peter Palumbo, Mayor Michael Napolitano
ORIGINAL LETTER
Ramsey & Florence
Fordson Avenue Telephone (401) 941
Cranston, Rhode Island 02910-5911
March 17, 2007
Mr. W. Michael Sullivan, PHD
Director ~ RI Department Of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Dr. Sullivan,
We live within 1400 feet of the Karleetor/Cullion concrete batching plant currently under construction. We find the placement of this plant in our neighborhood deplorable on many grounds.
Concentrating exclusively on environmental reasons:
This plant is within approximately 400 feet of the Pocasset and 600 feet of the Pawtuxet River. These fragile rivers could not survive the assault this plant would present.
Each truck requires 200 gallons of water to clean out the tank each day. Where is this polluted water going to be held and eventually dispersed? Are they building retaining tanks? If so, when the rains come and the rivers rise, this sludge will eventually end up in our Narragansett Bay. I have seen pictures, and they are on record, with this specific Cullion location flooded to 5 feet above ground level. How are they are going to hold back the floods? And if they claim they can, how are they going to prevent this and other pollutants from seeping into the ground water?
Cullion has been building and excavating on the property since at least April, 2006 without
a valid DEM permit. How is this possible? For this reason alone, they should never be granted a permit! Has anyone from your office gone to this site and seen what they have constructed without your permit? I have. The enclosed photos were taken from the historic cemetery behind the Cullion property. What a mess down there.
Please consider the documented harm and damage a concrete plant can cause, including the emission of crystalline silica and other known carcinogens. This neighborhood contains schools, sports centers, and children’s playing fields directly on the opposite shore of the Pocasset River. Consider the damage done by the recently exploded batching plant in Charlestown, MA in September of 2006. Those are not pictures we wish to see of our neighborhood. I bet those neighbors were assured this could not happen in their neighborhood.
. We ask you to reject the permit modification request.
· We ask you to issue a cease and desist order and require Karleetor/Cullion to tear
down the structures.
· We ask that you hold public hearings before making any decision.
Respectfully,
Ramsey & Florence
Cc: Mayor Michael Napolitano
Cranston Herald
The Providence Journal
Also of note is this letter in the Projo West Bay section:
CRANSTON
Don’t allow concrete plant
I am writing this letter in protest of the proposed concrete plant being allowed to set up operation within a highly residential and already heavily traveled area. This plant will be close to homes, schools, recreational areas and the watershed area of the Pawtuxet and Pocasset Rivers. It compromises health and safety of nearby residents, and will create traffic congestion in an already congested area. It will cause air and noise pollution and jeopardize the wetlands so close to this plant. The harm and damage caused by concrete plants are emission and crystalline silica and concrete-truck and plant-cleaning runoff.
This does not belong in an established neighborhood densely populated with a mix of young families and elderly. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this crucial matter.
Rayna Ciano
here’s a link to the webpage:
http://www.projo.com/ri/cranston/content/WB_turn27_04-27-07_FR5DL6P.34c5c64.html
Dr. Michael Sullivan, DEM Director,
235 Promenade Street Providence,
RI 02908-5767.
Dear Dr. Sullivan,
My understanding is that the DEM is charged with protecting the environment of RI. How could the DEM possibly issue a permit to the Cullion Concrete Plant which is located in a flood zone? The recent nor-easterner we had left the site in 2 ½ feet of water. Cullion failed to remove all their vehicles and some sat in 2 1/12 feet of water allowing grease, oil and other hazardous chemicals to leach into the Pawtuxet and Pocasset rivers. No doubt you saw pictures in the Providence Journal of that area under water.
I urge you and the DEM to reverse your position and revoke the permit which was issued to Cullion. How in good conscience can the DEM possibly allow this situation to continue? I happened to mention this to an EPA official I saw at the Warwick Mall on Earth Day and he asked the same question – “How can the DEM issue a permit to build a concrete plant in a flood zone�? This makes no sense to me and to a lot of other people.
The DEM is charged with protecting the environment. Please protect the environment of RI and revoke the permit issued to the Cullion Concrete Plant. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Bob Schoenberg
c: Cranston Citizens for Responsible Zoning & Development
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
April 27, 2007 (First letter follows below)
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D
Director
Department of Environmental Protection
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
RE: Insignificant Alternation Permit # 06-0557 (Karleetor/Cullion Concrete
Dear Dr. Sullivan:
As a Cranston resident, taxpayer and mother of a 3 and 5 year old, I demand you revoke the above Permit which I fiercely oppose on the grounds that Cullion has consistently shown blatant disregard to uphold the laws and Permit stipulations (all evidence starts from the initial permitting process).
What is your reasoning to turn blind eye to Cullion’s ongoing violations? DEM can provide no logical argument for their continued use of the Insignificant Alteration Permit. Therefore, I demand you issue a cease and desist order and impose hefty fines on their disregard for DEM’s requirements.
Our former Building Inspector along with former Mayor Laffey and his legal staff, made a historically bad decision to allow a permit within 11 days, on the cusp of a citywide ordinance banning cement plants. Cranston is currently without a building inspector, therefore it is impossible to enforce and catch any wrong doing on Cullion’s part. Surely you have seen pictures of the water and trucks aired on the news on Monday, April 16th and the trucks sitting in the water. The many broken stipulations and numerous letters giving testament to these and other facts — these are the reasons I expect the DEM to monitor and enforce the Insignificant Alteration Permit’s and revoke the permits status.
My family had confidence that this facility would NEVER get a DEM Permit or Air Permit, because it’s in a residential area, a flood zone and on pristine grounds abutting the rivers that feed into the Narragansett. How can this be ~ it defies the laws or one’s conscious and ethical conduct. My efforts now will further be directed to the Attorney General’s office for a full investigation.
Insurmountable, irreversible damage will occur if you allow this corrupt monstrosity to be built. It will leave shells of empty homes, as well as many people will become sick and some will die…all because of the sloppy handling and oversight of the criminal wrongdoings of Cullion.
We in opposition – will not go away, in fact, we have begun to gain momentum and will continue to knock on every door and get the word out of the injustice of this miscreation of which will be emitting crystalline silica into the air – have you given an Air Permit yet for this? Is Cullion supposed to alert the neighbor’s to the toxic air they will create both in silica and diesel fuel? And the 200,000 gallons of water to wash off a truck will trickle down into the earth and rivers.
I never received your reply to my February 14, 2007 letter (enclosed), and I now request answers either in letter form or at a hearing for the Cranston residents. The residents within one mile radius should be notified in writing, thirty (30) days prior to any such hearing. Additionally, a posting of the hearing should be in the papers for all of Cranston to attend. Please make sure the space will accommodate 500+ people, because we will come ~ I await your response.
Be well,
Suzanne E. Arena
cc: Governor Donald Carcieri
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Hanna Gallo
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
State Representative Robert Jacquard
Representative James Langevin
State Representative Peter Palumbo
Mayor Michael Napolitano
*********************************************************
1st letter
February 14, 2007
VIA FACSIMILE 401-222-6802
W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D
Director
Department of Environmental Protection
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
RE: Karleetor, LLC/Cullion Concrete Corporation, Application No. 06-0557
Dear Dr. Sullivan:
As a Cranston resident, I demand you revoke the above Building Permit which Karleetor has modified and are requesting their 2nd permit application be accepted.
My reasoning is simple, as a member of the Cranston Flood & Drainage Study Commission, I have been concerned about the failing infrastructure. The construction of this sort of industrial building that would significantly increase pollution and jeopardize a wetlands area where the Pawtuxet and Pocasset meet. The water they wash the trucks off with and water they pollute will eventually discharge into Narragansett Bay. Crystalline Silica is toxic. California has banned it from use and many other states have mandated rules protecting children/residents. I do not feel the abundance of runoff in an already underperforming river (due to sediment/silt) buildup would provide me and my family with any positive outcome. This is a beautiful, precious site which should be utilized to benefit our children for years to come, not slowly pollute in every aspect – which is what they will do
I do not feel the former Building Inspector, Kerry Anderson had the opportunity to carefully survey the plans and determine the effects of this building and the negative magnitude it would have on our community. Clearly, a “one of it’s kind deal� was struck after only 11 days – unheard of in this field and yet, only 3 days prior before an ordinance stating “new plants were banned citywide�. Where is the outrage, hear my voice please. My 3 year old daughter and most of her friends suffer from Asthma and this clearly would cause more damage to my family. There is NO positive benefit to my family with this sort of plant, not from a health, well being, future enjoyment of the rivers or from a fiscal tax standard – please ensure this company does not succeed.
I know you are obligated to weigh the many factors, both fairly and on behalf of the people. I therefore ask you to issue a cease and desist order, requiring Karleetor/Cullion to tear down the structures and please do not issue any additional new permit applications or modifications. This company has been deceitful in its representations of what it intends to do and is quickly trying to modify to get around the negative impacts it will clearly impose on me and my family.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne E. Arena
cc: Mayor Michael Napolitano (via facsimile 780-3113)
Mr. Dean Albro, Chief-Office of Compliance and Inspection (via facsimile 222-3811)
Mr. Charles A. Horbert, Permitting Sup.Office of Water Resources (via facsimile 780-3113)
Cranston Herald (via facsimile 732-3110)
The Providence Journal (via facsimile 277-7439)