East Limestone residents who live near a Rogers Group quarry in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County held a meeting Thursday night to discuss ways to improve their quality of life.

Many of the 15-plus people in attendance at the Athens Senior Center have been regulars at Limestone County Commission meetings. They are upset about the continued blasting at the quarry and the fact tri-axle trucks are being allowed to enter and exit the quarry from Newby and Gray Roads.

Most of those most upset live in newer subdivisions within less than a mile of the blasting site. On Thursday, some of them again reiterated how much the blasts shake their homes. Homeowners Jason and Rachel Pyle claim the blasts cracked a toilet in a rarely used bathroom.

The purpose of Thursday night’s meeting was to organize their efforts moving forward, though many chimed in on how they were impacted by the quarry. Many expressed frustration at Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough and District 2 Commissioner Steve Turner, who represents them.

Homeowner Holly Denenny, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the quarry, previously attempted to persuade Turner to host a forum to hear comments from concerned residents. In a response to Denenny, which was also sent to The News Courier, Turner said he would consider it.

When asked Thursday if he would be at the community meeting, Turner said he knew about it, but had not been invited.

 

Quarry quandary

Most of those who spoke at the meeting agreed there would be little they could do to shut the quarry down. The project is in Huntsville and was permitted to operate through the city. Blasting permits were also issued by the city of Huntsville.

The group’s primary concerns are the health and safety of the roads around the quarry, particularly Newby. The group resolved to continue putting pressure on the County Commission to weight-limit the roads as it had done before.

In April 2011, the commission voted to put a 15-ton weight limit on Newby Road to force trucks moving in and out of a different quarry operation to take an alternate route. The commission rescinded that decision in May of that year after the April 27 tornado outbreak, citing a need to ease cleanup operations.

In both instances, quarries were operating on property owned by Ray Mahaffey. Mahaffey is leasing his property to the Rogers Group quarry.

Jason Pyle said the neighbors have been told by Rogers Group the quarry is now in “full production mode,” and that blasts would continue through August. Bama Concrete is also planning to open a facility at the quarry location, which could increase heavy truck traffic.

Turner had previously offered to lower the 45 mph speed limit on Newby Road, but he said the neighbors didn’t want it. He cited traffic studies on the road, which found a few speed spikes of more than 80 mph.

Some of those Thursday reiterated they would not be in favor of lowering the speed limit, but Rachel Pyle said she was alarmed by how much faster the large trucks are moving in and out of the quarry.

 

Solutions

In addition to their continued fight to seek weight restrictions on Newby Road, residents vowed they would find other means to fight back. Don Barksdale said he already stops any potential homebuyers to let them know there is an active quarry nearby.

The group also discussed talking with legal counsel to determine whether a class-action lawsuit would be warranted. There was also talk about contacting an environmental attorney to look into the effects of runoff from the quarry into Limestone Creek. There are a few species of federally protected fish and snails that have been found in the county’s creeks.

Denenny said she would reach out to state lawmakers and even Gov. Kay Ivey. She expressed disappointment in how the cities of Huntsville and Madison have treated their concerns. She recalled speaking at a previous Huntsville City Council meeting about Mahaffey’s previous quarry. She claimed Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle was dismissive of her because she didn’t live or vote in the city of Huntsville.

“He’s running for governor, so I want you to remember that,” Denenny said.