Mass. Town Residents and Asphalt Recycler Clash

A Westfield, Mass., asphalt and concrete recycler has appealed a cease-and-desist order issued by the city’s building inspector, according to a report in the Republican (Springfield, Mass.).

Berkshire Materials Corp. was issued the order after the city learned that it was accepting off-site demolition materials and processing it for resale, according to the report.

The company’s lawyer, William J. Murray, tells the Republican that off-site crushing operations are covered under Berkshire Material’s special permit, issued in 1955.

However, neighbors have complained that the extra crushing equipment brought in to process the trucked-in materials has created a dramatic increase in noise and dust, prompting the city to issue the cease-and-desist order.