A concrete crushing company is creating controversy in a quiet community. Neighbors say the businesses is ruining their way of life.
Paige Baggett lives on five acres of land in Salem Township. It was her piece of paradise.
“It was beautiful,” said Baggett. “A nice little area, a little hamlet.”
But her peaceful paradise has been turned into a noisy nook.
“When that crusher runs, sometimes my pots and pans shake,” she says.
In 2012, Calo & Sons Construction set up shop across the street from Paige’s home in the area of Six Mile and Chubb Road. At first, the company was just parking trucks on the land.
In 2014, the company began crushing concrete, which brought more heavy trucks to the area, and some neighbors argue more dust, which they believe is putting their health in jeopardy.
“They are assuring us there are no health concerns.” Anna Zander told 7 Action News. “I was prescribed two inhalers and I have to be monitored once a year.”
Salem Township Supervisor Gary Whitaker told 7 Action News tests have been done to test the air quality, but the test did not register any air quality issues.
When issues were raised regarding Calo & Sons Construction crushing concrete without the proper approval from the township due to a paperwork error, the company was ordered to submit new plans to the planning commission for approval. Since the land is zoned heavy industrial, the approval was granted.
Whitaker says the company even agreed to conditions in an effort to ease tensions with neighbors, including sweeping and watering Chubb Road, which is a dirt road.
Calo & Son’s Construction is not the only business in the area using the road. However, the company has agreed to maintain it until a solution can be worked out.
The company has also created a berm around the business with concrete to cut down on the noise.
Since Chubb Road is a county road, township officials are in talks with county officials to try and get it paved to help cut down on the dirt and dust.
Once that happens, Salem Township Supervisor Gary Whitaker would like to see a truck route created so truck drivers can bypass the residential homes.
