Some Assonet residents may go to court to challenge a state permit awarded to a scrap steel company looking to locate at the end of Ridge Hill Road.

The Westport-based Excel Recycling, LLC. was recently granted  a junk handler's permit by a 2-1 vote of the Freetown Board of Selectmen.  The company, which also operates scrap steel recycling centers in Charlton and Salem in Massachusetts may also have been required by the Building Inspector to obtain a special permit under existing zoning laws but one was never issued.  The property is located in an industrial zone. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has awarded Excel a permit to operate a large shredder on site which would shred and then process the steel for recycling purposes.

Abutters, concerned about noise and potential pollutants are appealing The DEP's decision and are seeking to have the company obtain a special permit from the town.

Stay tuned.

Freetown Selectwoman Lisa Pacheco will appear on The Barry Richard Show at 2pm on Thursday to further discuss this and other issues,

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