After more than six years of legal battles, a proposed asphalt plant will move forward in Westford, Massachusetts, despite concerns with many residents.
Homeowners argue that the proposed plant could affect their quality of life and think it’s bad for the environment and neighborhoods. They also don’t understand why the town agreed to it.
Resident Jocelyn Bishop has a picket sign on her front lawn.
“It's not fair,” Bishop said. “We don't want that within our community and also so close to our children and other residents.”
The company Bishop is referring to is a half mile away from her home. For the last six years, Newport Materials has been fighting with the town of Westford over the project but just recently they came to a settlement that allows it to move forward
“The town has not been very forthcoming as far as the information they've provided with regards to the settlement,” said Bishop.
In response, Bishop and other residents recently filed a complaint with Westford stating they
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"...believe that the town and its referenced boards have violated the state's open meeting law.”
But town selectman Kelly Ross denied the accusation and defends the boards move, saying after a lengthy legal battle, a settlement was their best option.
“We don't believe we have violated open meeting laws,” said Ross. “Unfortunately it's not our opinion that matters, it's the court’s opinion that matters and they have signaled very strongly they're going to allow this asphalt plant to be there.”
Under the agreement, Newport Materials will reimburse the town for legal fees, provide paving and asphalt and also have to adhere to environmental restrictions.
Necn reached out to the company for comment on Tuesday but did not get a response. Their neighbors say they’re not done talking about this plan and their plans to stop it.
The board of selectmen will meet with the public Tuesday night at the Westford Academy Auditorium.
