MOUNT DECATUR AREA, GALES FERRY

UPDATE: QUARRY PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUES THURSDAY, 11/21/24, 6PM AT THE LEDYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL.

UPDATE: 7/11/24: CASHMAN RESUBMITS QUARRY APPLICATION FOR THE THIRD TIME!

The company is applying to Ledyard Planning & Zoning for a Special Use Permit to blast and excavate almost 40 acres out of historic Mount Decatur (its unique historical significance relates to the War of 1812) on the Cashman/GFI property in Gales Ferry. The image above is an artist's rendering of what Mount Decatur and the surrounding area look like today.

The application and all relevant documents are available on the Ledyard Town website under Agendas & Minutes, Planning & Zoning Meetings for October 10th, via this link: https://ledyardct.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1231084&GUID=E631FD0B-A989-4A63-A696-267F038E8D22 under "PUBLIC HEARINGS / APPLICATIONS". The public hearings continue 10/24/24 at the Ledyard Middle School.

Even with this resubmitted application, which does not materially differ from the prior versions which were withdrawn, the company hopes to set up what would essentially be a 5-10-year mining operation to demolish the northern ~half of Mount Decatur. And they intend to set up a processing plant on-site to convert the blasted rock into "marketable material". In other words, the remnants of Mount Decatur will be sold commercially. 

CALU's FOCUS IS TO ENSURE THAT SUCH AN OPERATION IS ONLY PERMITTED IF IT FULLY COMPLIES WITH OUR ZONING REGULATIONS, especially where the regulations pertain to abutting and nearby residential neighborhoods (both in town and across the river), schools, churches, etc. 

Concern areas include:

• Will the blasting or processing operations degrade our quality of life?
• Will this dramatic change to the area lower our property values?
• Will fugitive dust leave the property, thereby creating a health risk?
• Will our environment suffer?
• Will there be more noise and vibration from increased train traffic?
• Will increased large vessel traffic reduce enjoyment and safety on the Thames River?
• Will increased heavy truck traffic have a negative effect on public welfare and safety, including homes, schools, churches, and businesses?
• Will the disfigurement of Mount Decatur alter its unique historical significance (War of 1812)?

CALU is in favor of economic development, but only if it is done responsibly and only if it complies with our zoning laws. At this time, we struggle to see how this particular operation will be able to fully comply with our zoning regulations and satisfy those criteria, but we remain hopeful and open-minded.

The IMAGE BELOW is an artist's rendering of how Mount Decatur might appear after 5-10 years of blasting and processing.