By LARRY ROSS | Wilton
“Blasting, property damage and more.” These are the words used by the Save Our Knapp Hills Alliance to describe the mining effects of Milestone Materials in Downing, Wis. The Facebook page created by this alliance calls citizens to rally against the Milestone Materials company as it works to convert and expand the Downing Mine from a rock quarry to a sand frac mine (www.facebook.com/events/102296389907145/?ref=5). Mathy Construction Company has stated they have no desire to convert the proposed Wilton rock quarry into a sand frac mine; however, they have already converted two rock quarry mines: Wilson Mine and Downing Mine. Unfortunately for these small communities, they did not have ordinances in place to prohibit this practice. Unfortunately for the Township of Wilton, we do, but the township board members seem apprehensive to exercise their right, or rather, responsibility, to refuse Mathy Construction to mine in our community.
After the last public hearing in which many concerned citizens expressed concern, Mathy agreed to amend their mining application. Affected township members received an amended version of the mining application, along with a Cliff Notes sheet summarizing the “compromised” changes. However, how many “compromises” were actually made? Case in point: The initial application states operations will commence from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Saturday. The revised application states there will be five dayshifts, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and up to five nightshifts, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ending Saturday. However, hauling and maintenance can continue until 4 p.m. Saturday. If you calculate the “compromise,” Mathy has graciously agreed to reduce operations by seven hours (note the sarcasm). One hour on Saturday night and six hours, from 12:01 to 6 a.m., on Monday.
Throughout this process the Mathy Construction Company has claimed to work with the citizens of the Wilton Township, but the above example shows how little compromise they are actually willing to make. My concern, however, isn’t just with Mathy; it is with the Town of Wilton Board members, who are considering this application. While it is their responsibility to review all applications, there is a greater burden of responsibility to protect the constituents they represent, constituents who clearly oppose the Mathy company from destroying their quality of life. The board members probably wouldn’t know how this affects those who live directly adjacent to the proposed mining site, because they have never taken the time to visit, call, or discuss this topic with those most negatively affected.
“Blasting, property damage and more” … and this is before they convert the proposed Wilton quarry into a sand frac mine. Please come to the meeting Oct. 21, 2014, and insist the Township of Wilton Board denies the mine.