BROOKFIELD
It's not a blast for us, mine's neighbors say
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Some fear damage from explosions
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COMPANY SAYS BLASTS ARE WITHIN LIMITS OF PERMIT
By Sherris Moreira-Byers
Herald Staff Writer
Some Brookfield residents think blasting from a surface mining operation on state Route 7 may damage their nearby homes and businesses.
But a spokesman for City Stone products, Youngstown, said the company is well within the limits for blasting, according to seismographic monitoring.
City Stone mines and sells aggregate materials for road beds and homes. The company is blasting to mine sandstone in Brookfield, some of which has gone to the Route 18 widening project in Hermitage.
"We're well within the limits of the law," said the spokesman, who refused to be named for this story. He added that vibrations from the blasts are about a quarter of what the company is permitted.
Though he said there is no reason to worry, the company established a phone number for people who have structural damage that could be related to the blasting.
"We're trying to do the right thing and be good neighbors," he said. "A lot of it is awareness."
In February, the company signed a 10-year lease with the Sprankle family for more than 70 acres along Route 7. It started mining about April, according to the company.
April was also when calls came into the Trumbull County 911 center reporting "mini-earthquakes," which were actually vibrations from the blasting, according to Hubbard Township Trustee Fred Hanley. The blasting site is near the township line.
Few knew the business was operating in Brookfield, he said. The company obtained a permit for surface mining through the state, and because there is no zoning in Brookfield, it did not have to apply for an application to open up shop in the township. According to Brookfield Trustee Phil Schmidt, township officials were never formally notified, but the owner of the company went to the fire station in early spring to let firefighters know they had the permits and would be blasting in the area.
A blast Thursday had employees of Jones Chiropractic Clinic, west of the blast site on Route 7, running outside to see what happened.
"We didn't know what it was," said office manager Sharon Hall. "We felt the building shake. We thought for a second: 'Could it be an earthquake or a semi going out?' "
A resident of Cherry Street, north of the mine, thought a plane had crashed during one recent blast.
"I told my friend I had to get off the phone because I thought a plane had crashed," said Jim Glass, who said he's found cracks on the walls of his home since the blasting started.
"There is no 'blasting zone' signs, no 'shut off your two-way radios.' I'm a little concerned," Glass said. "I am not happy about this, by no means," he added.
"I don't want to complain," added his wife Danielle. "They're my neighbors, but we're definitely concerned."
Some owners of businesses in the mine's vicinity were also worry about possible structural damage, but did not want to speak on the record.
Possible damage isn't limited to Brookfield, Hanley said Hubbard Township has received numerous complaints and a report of a crack across Route 7 at Chestnut Ridge Road.
Trustees in Brookfield have received only one complaint about the blasting, though they and firefighters have fielded questions about the cause of the vibrations from the blasting, Schmidt said.
Hanley gave City Stone credit for trying to deal with the problem.
"At least they are responding to people's complaint about their homes," he said. "It if was you or me, I'd be complaining and so would the owner of the company."
According to the City Stone spokesperson, plans for the property after the mining is finished may include a stocked lake for boating and fishing.
To report structural damage to City Stone, call (330)727-8638.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Sherris Moreira-Byers at
sbyers@sharon-herald.com
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