“Shame on you” North Hastings reeve to county council

A North Hastings Reeve has accused Hastings County of “turning its back” on the community by not allowing a quarry in the township to move ahead.

In a letter to county council presented at county council Thursday,  Reeve Dennis Purcell of Faraday Township said the county had “turned its back” on the municipality by not approving the zoning by-law allowing the proposed Freymond Quarry to open.

Area residents have fought the bid to open the proposed quarry.

In his letter, Purcell accuses the county of not allowing Freymond Quarry representatives to reply to those objections at a recent county planning committee meeting that deferred decision on the matter.

“Shame on you” Purcell wrote.

Warden Rick Phillips spoke with Quinte News following the council meeting.

Phillips notes there are a number of issues that residents are raising.

Warden Phillips says he intends to visit the site in the next couple of weeks.

The county’s planning committee received the proposed development, studies and peer review along with the Official Plan and Provincial Policy conformity.

In his letter, Purcell wrote, “You have turned your back on all of the work Faraday Council has done over the past six years. The establishment of a quarry is sustainable economic growth and provides permanent jobs. You have also discredited your own very competent Planning Director and his staff. Mr. Harrow’s (Planning Director Justin Harrow) recommendation was based on facts and principles. Shame on you!”

The Limerick Area Conservation Coalition has been objecting to the quarry project, which is 25 kilometres south of Bancroft.