Testimony continued Thursday February 14 on Pennsy Supply's application to enlarge their Small Mountain Quarry operation in Dorrance Township. The company has submitted an application for a conditional use approval under the Dorrance Zoning Ordinance. The board of supervisors is hearing testimony and will vote on the application. The quarry is located within a 442-acre Industrial Zone near I-81. The Dorrance ordinance also allows quarries to be located in A-1 (Agricultural) and C-1 (Conservation) zones.

Quarry manager Patrick Bartorillo testified for more than an hour at the 4-hour hearing held at Rice Elementary School. He said that the present quarry operation on the north side of the property would be depleted of product within 2 years. "The stone on that land is high quality sand stone. PennDOT determines that grade. It is a Type A source and has a very high skid rating. It is used for high volume roadways including the interstates and the turnpike," explained Bartorillo, who has been employed at the quarry for 12 years."150 employees will be affected and also our sub contractors," he added. The quarry uses hired halers, blasters and drillers. 300-400 trucks go in an out of the quarry each day hauling product.

The quarry manager told the supervisors that the conditional use application addresses some concerns that were voiced before the Dorrance Township Zoning Hearing Board last year. That application was denied and is in appeal.

Crushing and screening equipment will be inside a building, and screens for the crushed rock will be made of a rubberized material that will cut down on noise. In addition a 50-foot high earthen berm will be installed for noise abatement concerns. The berm will be as high as the tower. Stockpiles of product will be coated with a polymer to cut down on dust. Water suppressors will also be used.

Vegetation and landscaping using some of the existing trees will be placed between the quarry and adjacent residential properties.

The quarry depth will be 1230 feet, which is the elevation of the seasonal water table. The quarry manager said that the quarry would utilize new state of the art equipment for the dust and noise abatement and the berm. "There is no impact on the ground water. We recycle the water in processing. We have volunteered to limit operating hours," said Bartorillo.

Pennsy Supply also presented an expert witness to testify that their application was conformed to the Dorrance Zoning Ordinance. Creigh Rahenkamp, a professional planner with 27 years experience, said that he had reviewed the conditional use application, and all specific conditions had been met. He referred to the Dorrance Township Comprehensive Land Plan of 1984 that had set aside 442 acres for industrial use. "The hilly area cannot be developed otherwise because of the steep slopes. The quarry's Conditional Use will create a flat area for future community development. The hillside will disappear, but the residents will never be looking inside the quarry," stated the planner.

The quarry applicants finished their presentation. Objections will heard at a future hearing.

 From The Mountaintop Eagle.