DORRANCE TOWNSHIP – The Small Mountain Quarry Citizens Advisory Committee recently toured the quarry property and learned about the plans to reclaim the property after the material is exhausted.

From the top of the quarry, the committee heard from Slusser Brothers officials about how the benches in the quarry walls will be shot with explosives allowing the walls to be graded at a 30-degree slope, as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection.  Top soil will be added to the slopes so vegetation can be planted.

Committee members toured the bottom of the quarry and inspected the crushers and water reclamation building, asking questions about material and water handling.  General Manager Patrick Bartorillo explained how the undercarriages and tires of trucks are washed before they leave the property and drive on the roads.

At the quarry office, Bartorillo told committee members that Small Mountain Quarry this summer was awarded the national Joseph A. Holmes Safety Award for 50,000 hours of operation without an injury.  Committee members discussed the fact that school is back in session and that truck drivers need to be aware of students and buses.  Bartorillo said the company recently received a complaint about a truck driver and is looking into the issue.

Bartorillo informed committee members that Slusser Brothers has been awarded the contract to pave Dorrance Township’s Recycling Plant.  Bartorillo said the company’s low bid saved the township tens of thousands of dollars.   He added that the company supplied a grading machine and an operator to the township to grade the swales of Taney Road.

Committee members discussed the tour of Small Mountain Quarry in May by fourth graders of Rice Elementary School.  Company officials spent a week in the school teaching students about the careers available in the aggregate industry.  The quarry employs approximately 150 workers including engineers and construction workers.

The township created the Citizens Advisory Committee to help the quarry with its goal of being a good neighbor in the township and responsive to the public.  Committee members are Dorrance Township residents.

From the October 9 edition of Mountain Peaks