Seekonk Sued Over Asphalt Plant

The Town of Seekonk is being sued by International Paving Corporation, which has announced plans to construct an asphalt plant near Route 6.

On April 21, the Board of Health said the plant would be “noisome trade” and therefore, hazardous to public safety. The plant, which would be located in an Industrial Zoning District just a few hundred feet from a residential neighborhood, has drawn concerns over the potential health impact from emissions.

A Facebook group, Stop the Seekonk Asphalt Plant, has more than 2000 members, including residents from Barrington and East Providence, Rhode Island.

The owner of the proposed plant, through his legal representatives, has claimed the site will be subject to environmental oversight by state and federal regulators. The lawsuit asks the court to reserve or void the noisome trade declaration, issue a decision that the BOH’s declaration cannot be enforced against the project, and issue an injunction against the town.