WESTBROOK – Pike Industries, which was scheduled to blast at its quarry on Spring Street in Westbrook this week, has agreed to hold off until questions regarding a consent order between the city and the company can be addressed in state court.

In a statement released on June 26, Westbrook Mayor Colleen Hilton said the city asked Pike to hold off on blasting and the company agreed to that request.

“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,” Hilton said. “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.”

Hilton’s complete statement is attached.

Pike had a permit from the city to conduct eight scheduled blasting days, June 26-29, and July 3, 5, 6 and 10, to amass enough rock at its quarry to begin crushing operations, which were expected to start sometime in July.

Last week, Sigmund Schutz, of Portland-based PretiFlaherty, who is representing Pike, said the company intended to blast, feeling that it had a valid permit and “no further permissions were necessary.”

Schutz did add that Pike would consider a request from the city to hold off on the blasting. “The position generally is to be fully cooperative with the city and work with the city to address any concerns,” he said. “We’ll evaluate anything the city brings to us.”

Hilton said that after talking with the city, Pike decided it could hold off on the scheduled blasts.

“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,” Hilton said. “As a result, Pike does not have an immediate and compelling business need to proceed with blasting this month at the quarry. 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.”