City of Westbrook Statement on Spring Street Quarry

In the City of Westbrook’s continued effort to balance the interests and rights of all residents, businesses and property owners in the area of the Spring Street Quarry, Pike Industries has agreed to the city’s request to forgo any blasting at the site until the matter has been back before the Business and Consumer Court, as directed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. During this time Pike will be allowed to otherwise conduct operations at the quarry, including the processing and transportation of material currently on site. Pike has agreed to comply with all of the performance standards contained in the Consent Order, which has been referred back to the Business and Consumer Court.

After careful consideration, Pike determined that it can produce sufficient product at the Spring Street Quarry without blasting to meet customer needs over the next few months. As a result, Pike does not have an immediate and compelling business need to proceed with blasting this month at the Quarry. Pike’s position throughout the controversy over the Quarry has been that it has a grandfathered right to operate the Quarry which has been in continuous and substantial operation since at least 1968.

Pike’s focus is on approval of the Consent Order by the process directed by the Law Court. Pike has already filed, with the support of the City and IDEXX Laboratories, a motion for preliminary approval of the Consent Order. Pike has also filed a motion asking the Court to act quickly to consider the Consent Order.

Pike is confident that the process of approving the Consent Order will be completed promptly so that the Order will be in place by the time more blasting is required at the Quarry. We see this as the fastest and most efficient way to finalize the Consent Order.

The City agrees that Pike may operate the Quarry and appreciates Pike’s decision not to engage in blasting at this time. Pike is committed to meeting all of the agreed-to performance standards for operation of the Quarry. The City reserves the right to return to Court for full cessation of quarry operations should Pike fail to comply substantially with all terms of the Consent Order.

Mayor Colleen Hilton