Nashua Mayor Urges Planning Board To Reject Proposed Asphalt Plant

NASHUA, NH — Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess on Thursday urged the city's Planning Board to reject a petition for the construction of a controversial asphalt production plant near downtown. The board is scheduled to meet again on Jan. 19.

The proposed plant would be located at 145 Temple St., east of Main Street. Donchess said there are several reasons why he's come out against the plant, which has been proposed by Westford, Massachusetts-based Newport Construction Corp.

"I am opposed to adding an asphalt production plant to the property at 145 Temple St., east of Nashua's Main Street." Donchess said in a statement. "An asphalt plant at that location would create detrimental environmental issues, add noise and traffic, all of which would have a negative impact on neighborhood residents. Furthermore, it is counter to our goal to evolve that area into a residential neighborhood."

Donchess continued: "An asphalt production plant would impact nearby property values and is inconsistent with the City's 2022 Master Plan and the East Hollis Street Master Plan, including a beautiful Rail Trail that is planned directly adjacent to the Newport property. We have engaged an appraisal firm to evaluate the impact an asphalt plant would have on surrounding property values.

"I am urging the Planning Board to consider the requirements of the overlay zoning and deny this petition."

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the proposed site of the plan is a 70,614-square-foot lot that is the former site of a lumberyard and a road construction company.

The property is in the general industrial zone and transit-overlay zone, though requires several waivers to go ahead, the newspaper reported.

In a project application, Newport Construction Corp. reportedly made the point that the site's "general industrial" use would be "similar in character to existing and previous uses in the abutting area including a former lumber yard, concrete manufacturing facility, etc. and currently, a landscape materials supply business, a road construction business, etc."

In the application, the company also insisted "there are not any health or safety impacts to the area" due to the project. According to the application: "All environmental permits will be obtained before the plant is operational."

But the Union Leader reported that the site of the proposed plant is near homes, schools and churches. That point has been made by multiple groups, including the Granite State Organizing Project, 350NH, and the Conservation Law Foundation, which have organized protests against the project.

Donchess has reminded citizens that they can attend the Planning Board's Jan. 19 meeting and express their opinions on the proposed asphalt production plant.