The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Board grants mineral variance request
Stansley Mineral fined $500 for violating township's ordinance
By Daniel Lai, Editor
PUBLISHED: March 13, 2008
After months of negotiations between the Bridgewater Township Board, Stansley Mineral Resources and township residents, the board approved a resolution for a mineral extraction variance March 6.
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The resolution allows SMR to decrease their setback requirements set forth in their license from 250 feet to 100 feet on the "Baker A" portion of the facility's property. The property - located near Allen Road — adjoins land owned by residents Daniel and Betty Brymer, Gregory Fuchs and Thomas and Christie Hukill.
Several residents voiced their concerns over the proposed setback reduction. Resident Dave Bopp, who used to own Brymer's property, said he was concerned with possible safety issues along the Stansley property.
"There's no six-foot tall cyclone fencing, and that's supposed to be all around the property," Bopp said. "I have grandchildren who are at the age where they can get into trouble."
Bopp also was displeased with the current appearance of the Stansley site.
"Take a look at their Raisin Township operation," he said. "Theirs is nice and ours isn't."
Resident James Fish said he believed SMR was in violation of the township's Ordinance 59, which governs mineral extraction, and urged board members to require the company to come into compliance before granting the variance.
"Along with the council, property owners, operator and citizens, I look forward to the Township Board's permanent resolution of the apparent internal conflict in Section 11.09 of Ordinance 59, as revealed in consideration of the pending SMR variance application," Fish told council members.
Township Supervisor Jolea Mull said though the variance was approved, SMR will be charged a $500 fee for violating the ordinance and will have until June 1 to bring the entire "Baker A" property into compliance. If the company fails to comply, the variance can be revoked. If the variance is revoked, SMR are required to replace all materials removed from the area of the variance and return the setback to 250 feet.
"I think the board and Stansley Mineral Resources are in agreement that our township ordinance needs to be followed," Mull said. "This is this board's first time to hear and rule on an issue with our gravel pit. I believe our work with our attorney to come up with a reasonable slap on the hand was appropriate.
"We are happy to work with Stansley Mineral Resources but they must also know we are concerned about our residents' well being."
Mull said SMR came under violation of its original 250-foot setback agreement granted by the Bridgewater Township Mineral Licensing Board after the company accidentally drilled 40 feet past the marker in December 2007.
"They aren't allowed to stockpile sand or gravel past a certain point," she said. "I think it was just an oversight but we feel our township residents' property rights are as important as SMR doing its job."
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