An application by Ellingwood Construction Co. for a special permit for
"land disturbance" from the Planning Board has been delayed, according
to Selectman Ginger Esty. The company, which has been involved in the
controversial grinding of asphalt, brick and cement in the heart of
Precinct 3 (Northeast Quadrant) was given an order by the Superior Court
to comply by the end of August.
 |
| Truck with conveyor belt piling crushed asphalt material |
This issue involves the
construction of a berm -- a wall of earth -- required by the state's
Department of Environmental Protection to shield residents in the
immediate area from the heavy amount of dust resulting from the
extensive grinding.
Jay Grande, Director of the Planning Board,
said William Ellingwood, owner, contacted him earlier regarding the
submission of an application, but he has yet to receive any paperwork as
specified by Section 4H2 of the Zoning By-Law. Thus, Grande stated
that he cannot comment on any delay. Ellingwood is reported to have
cited personal reasons for the lack of compliance.
Meanwhile,
an order to "cease and desist" grinding operations that was previously
issued by the Building Department has yet to be enforced. Residents in
the area have been appealing to the Board to take firm action to finally
resolve this matter.
For the first time are photos (below) of the grinding of materials in
the in the Northeast quadrant -- Precinct 3 -- that may lead to further
contamination of the Birch Road Wells. While the wells have been capped
for many decades, they are slated to provide at least 60 percent of
Framingham's drinking water. What is really happening and when they
will be brought online has been the source of continuing controversy,
rumors and argument for several years. And because of the projected rise in water and sewer fees,
residents want clear-cut answers as to when the wells will be utilized
as they try to cope with the worst financial crisis since the Great
Depression.
 |
| Neighbors back yard view abutting Ellingwood Construction in the
northeast part of town (Pct 3). It’s supposed to be either a berm
obscuring the grinding of asphalt, brick and concrete, raw materials to
be ground up, or prevent dust from the grinding from affecting residents
–PHOTO CREDIT: DENNIS PAULSEN |
 |
| Ellingwood vehicles on PUD property |
 |
| Here are the Birch Wells that are currently capped and projected
(over two years ago) to provide at least 60 percent of Framingham’s
drinking water. There are many contradictory stories about the
contamination of this water source; who is responsible; and when the
problem will be rectified. Another reported obstacle to using the wells
is the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, a state entity which
sells water to Framingham and other MetroWest towns and cities.
Framingham has already spent over $6 million for design of a
watertreatment plant and has nothing to show for its money. –PHOTO
CREDIT: DENNIS PAULSEN |
 |
| More trash on property |
 |
| Twenty foot high pile of asphalt near Birch Wells |
 |
| Another view showing asphalt and cement |
 |
| Careless trash among trees abutting Danforth Green |
 |
| Twenty foot high ground asphalt pile about a ¼ mile uphill from
Birch Wells, and reported to be in the “forbidden zone”. Federal
research points out that asphalt is a petroleum derivative which can
seep into the ground. The Board of Health told the Board of Selectmen
about a year ago that toxic oil could enter a plume going towards the
aquifer supplying the Birch Road Wells and could contaminate
Framingham’s future drinking water. This is occurring in Precinct 3 of
Framingham, the area that was victimized by NStar, the utility that
caused an uproar by cutting down all those trees. –PHOTO CREDIT: DENNIS
PAULSEN |
