Norton's new quarry irks locals

A new quarry in Norton is not sitting well with local people.

Resident Peter Steele said he is worried about what a new quarry could do to his water and how it might change his daily life. But he said he is even more concerned about what the quarry could mean for the village.

"It adds absolutely no economic benefit to the village. The tax base stays the same. He's just going to dig a hole in the town. It'll add noise pollution. It'll add maybe environmental impact to the area," Steele said.

Residents of the Norton area enjoy sprawling acreage and a pastoral setting, but that is changing. Debly Resources has already started work in the area.

The company’s heavy equipment is moving up and down the long dirt access road, clearing the land in preparation.

Norton Mayor Wendy Alcorn said that many people in the community, including council members, are opposed to the development.

"We realize it's a difficult situation. Not one of us would say, 'Yes, come put it in my backyard.' We wouldn't want it there. So we feel for them … We would have the same concerns," Alcorn said.

Under the village's current rural plan the company didn't have to notify anyone before it began work.

Majid Debly, the president of the company, said that he understands the concerns, but that there will be benefits too.

"We pay huge tax dollars in this province, and in this area. We employ all local people. For example, our company employs half a dozen people that live in Norton," Debly said.

"If we were to come to Norton, if we were successful to get a job here, we would be employing people in the community."

Debly said that he is waiting for approval from the provincial environment department before the quarry can move forward.

In the meantime, Alcorn said that the village will enforce a noise bylaw prohibiting noisy work between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and on Sundays

She said council may consider changing the municipal plan when it comes up for review a few years from now.