Support for Article 1

Article 1 is supported by FreetownWater; Citizens for Health, Safety, Ecology; Toxics Action Center and the Water Systems Council.  It is not just a small group of residents.  It's about a natural resource people can live without - drinkable water. I's about saving that resource for all of us.

Water Law written by Environmental Engineer

Mark Spear, Environmental Engineer

Mark Spear was an Environmental Engineer who worked on the clean up of various sites to ensure the health and safety of future generations. He was keenly aware of the preciousness of our ecology and natural resources and saw first hand, many times, the kinds of contamination and environmental damage that could be done and its affects on surrounding populations. In his leisure time, Mark enjoyed snowborading, golfing, biking and being with family and friends. Mark wrote this bylaw to protect the water supply of his town.  Citizens of Freetown are trying to adopt Mark's Law at the Freetown Special Meeting on Monday, June 16th at 7:00 pm at the Freetown Elementary School in order to protect the water in Freetown/Assonet.
Mark died of brain cancer on October 5th, 2013.  Please don't let his work, his efforts to preserve our most precious natural resource, and his dedication to our health and the health of our environment die with him.  Please continue the good Mark started.  Please vote YES for Mark's Law, Article 1, at the Freetown Special Meeting on Monday.

Rebuttal to Mailing

Did you receive a postcard in the mail from CCA?    

Here is what they don't want you to know.  

Their mailing claims that CCA is a "responsible business."  Since CCA began blasting, abutters have suffered serious property damages.  Does that sound like a responsible business?

CCA claims that Article 1 would "prohibit commercial excavation."  This is not true.  It would not PROHIBIT it.  Article 1 would simple LIMIT commercial excavation to above the average annual mean water line.  Gravel pits and quarry's would be able to mine as long as they do not go below the average mean water line.  

CCA says they are fully permitted.  Did they tell you that for the first 4 years of their operation they were violating 9 conditions of their permit? Did they tell you that citizens had to hire a lawyer to get the Soil Board to hold a Public Hearing on the permit renewal for CCA?  Did they tell you that large groups of neighbors showed up at the public hearing to complain about their homes shaking, the loud noise, the constant could of dust, sedimentation in their water after blasts?  Did they tell you that the Selectmen passed a new law that allows them to renew the permit without any more public hearings?  CCA had a SERIOUS FLYROCK incident after their permit was renewed.  

CCA says the blasts last about half a second. A fatal car crash can be caused in half a second.  A deadly fire can start in half a second. It is not the length of the blast, but the damage it causes to property and people's lives.

 If CCA "commissioned an “independent” sound study i.e. - they selected who would conduct the study and paid them for doing it- is it really "independent?"

CCA sites a DEP study to say they are not affecting wells.  The DEP only tested for pro-chloride contamination in wells. The DEP did not test for sedimentation. The DEP did not test for water quantity.   The DEP could NOT DEFINITIVELY say that the quarry did not or could not affect water quantity.  

CCA is one company and their mailing is intended to protect the interest of their one company. Not one owner of CCA lives in Freetown.   FreetownWater wants to protect everyone who depends on wells for drinking water.  FreetownWater wants to protect reresidents in Freetown from serious nuisance that interferes with a homeowner's right to enjoy or even be safe on their own property.  Do you personally pay rent or a mortgage?  Do you personally want to enjoy your home and yard?  Do you personally depend on well water?   Why would you vote for CCA's interests above your own?

Vote for YOU.  Vote YES for Articles 1 and 2. 

Article 1 as it appears on Warrant

End of Article 1, Beginning of Article 2

End of Article 2 as it appears on Warrant