Seekonk Town Officials Oppose Asphalt Plant

The Board of Selectmen has voiced their opposition to the construction of a new asphalt plant which would be in close proximity to a residential neighborhood. Last month, the Planning Board voted to allow International Paving Corporation to redevelop a warehouse/garage site at 45 Industrial Court for the project. The plant, which would be located in an Industrial Zoning District off of Route 6, has drawn concerns over the potential health impact from emissions.

“We have the opportunity to get ahead of this now,” Selectman David Andrade said Wednesday.

“We need to do everything we can to protect the residents,” said Selectman David Viera.

Dr. Jonathan Schiller, the chairman of the Board of Health, told the board there were “significant health concerns,” such as the plant’s potential impact on surrounding water sources and air pollution.

Residents from neighboring communities including Barrington, Swansea, and East Providence have all expressed interest in stopping the asphalt plant from going forward. A Facebook group called “Stop the Seekonk Asphalt Plant” has over 1700 members.

Planning Board Chairman David Sullivan defended the board’s January 12 vote.

“We were comfortable acting in the way we did,” Sullivan said, noting the board had been “very limited” in their ability to reject the application for the project due to state laws.

Sullivan explained the board does have the ability to require the applicant to meet certain conditions.

The plant will be discussed by the Conservation Commission at their February 8 meeting.