Letters to the editor:
Some concrete issues must be resolved on plant permit

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, March 16, 2007

I realize that The Providence Journal has carried some news stories about the proposed cement plant under construction in Cranston by Cullion Construction Co. However, the stories never seem to point out that the site is in a residential area and directly adjacent to the cemetery on Rolfe Street owned by Bethany Lutheran Church. It is also being built on a flood plain, and it seems that the state Department of Environmental Management either hasn’t heard about it, or could it be that they have been paid off to allow it to be built?

It is also amazing that a building permit was approved in only 11 days; it usually takes months for a homeowner to get approval to just add a deck on the back of his house. Kind of makes me wonder if a palm or two was greased. They knew the law banning cement plants in Cranston was in the works. It went into effect four days after the permit was granted by the city official.

Normally, when something like this is planned, the abutting property owners are asked if there are any concerns. No notice was ever given and — just like magic — it was done. The mayor, the DEM, the City Council, and perhaps even the state attorney general should negate the project before the cement plant spews its foul discharges on the entire neighborhood and pollutes the adjacent rivers.

The DEM in particular is failing to do its job. Now Mayor [Michael T.] Napolitano has just capitulated.

William A. Brown
Superintendent,
Bethany Cemetery
Cranston