MOUNT DECATUR AREA, GALES FERRY

The image above is an artist's rendering of what Mount Decatur and the surrounding area look like today.

CASHMAN SUBMITTED AN APPEAL, 3/11/25.

COMMISSION DENIED CASHMAN'S 40-ACRE QUARRY APPLICATION ON THURSDAY, 2/20/25.

The company had applied 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 application and 331 related Exhibits are available on the Ledyard Town website under Agendas & Minutes, Planning & Zoning Meetings for December 19, 2024, via this link: https://ledyardct.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1261780&GUID=FC9B9AFF-0AEE-49C6-9982-B09AF9DE0263.

The company hoped to set up what would essentially be a 5-10-year mining operation to demolish the northern ~half of Mount Decatur. And they intended to set up a processing plant on-site to convert the blasted rock into "marketable material". In other words, the remnants of Mount Decatur were to be sold commercially. 

CALU's FOCUS WAS 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.