Halifax selectmen heard from a throng of more than a hundred residents voicing their concerns regarding what they call gravel mining on the cranberry bogs off Lingan Street.
Morse Bros. Cranberry Co. had been on the agenda with their earth removal application. Before the meeting, however, the company withdrew their application.
Select chair Ashley DiSesa read an email from Halifax Police Chief Joao A. Chaves, copied to the Town Administrator Marty Golightly and the members of the Board of Selectmen stating they were pulling their earth removal permit and would not be present at the hearing Aug. 9.
Chaves, through his email to the board, said that there would still be some trucks moving material from their site to their other bogs in Middleboro and Hanson as part of their bog maintenance and dam rebuilding at those sites, actions that are permitted under Chapter 137 “Right to Farm” laws, requiring no permits as they are just doing agricultural and farming work.
The email went on to explain that Morse Bros. had notified the police department in the event that residents called to complain about the trucks. “They are just doing normal farming tasks,” the email continued. Chaves told the Morse Bros. representative that he would notify the Board of Selectmen and the members of his police department of the change.
Residents present at the selectmen’s meeting wanted to be heard but select chair DiSesa told them that since there was no issue on the table for discussion.
“We have heard all of your concerns,” DiSesa told the group. She said that when they sent the Zoning Enforcement Officer to investigate a claim at the site he found Morse Bros. was operating within the law.
Selectmen went on to interview the final two candidates
In other business, selectmen
• allowed the moving of a utility pole.
• appointed James Hill to the Halifax Fireworks Committee. His wife Susan is already a member.
• appointed Lind McCarthy as Parking Clerk