To expand its operations and extend the life of its quarry, Tilcon has proposed to purchase the mineral rights to 131 acres of New Britain-owned land located in Plainville, which is adjacent to our existing Plainville quarry.

How would this expansion impact the neighbors who live around the quarry?

Residents living in the vicinity of the proposed quarry will benefit from an expanded, forested buffer of up to 1,000 feet around the perimeter of the proposed quarry. Moreover, there will be no increase in truck traffic, no change to the public view of the current site. Tilcon's new operations will be located at least as far away from neighboring homes as current quarry operations.

What would happen if Tilcon did not expand its operations at the Plainville Quarry?

In an estimated 20 years, this quarry will be unable to sustain its current mining operations and Tilcon will have to move its operations to other sites or perhaps take business out of Connecticut. The jobs at the quarry would be eliminated.  Tilcon would then explore other uses for developing the approximately 530 acres of land that the company currently owns at this site.

What impact would this expansion have on the environment?

There are several environmental benefits in our proposal including the increase in the amount of protected Class I watershed acreage in the region, a potential 3 for 1 exchange of open space lands and a $15,000,000 payment for mineral rights, as well as improved water resources for the City of New Britain and the Central Connecticut region. For more detailed information on the environmental benefits, click here.

What is Tilcon doing about blasting?

In October of 2007, Tilcon hired a blasting consultant to conduct a seismic monitoring program which documented the seismic impact that blasting at the Plainville Quarry had on neighborhood houses surrounding the Plainville Quarry.  From this study, the blasting consultants determined that the impact from blasting done at the quarry is well below established standards for preventing damage and in many cases the impact of blasting at the Plainville Quarry is below the impact of typical daily household activities.

Tilcon will continue to work with leading blasting consultants in order to stay informed of new, advanced state-of-the-art blasting techniques, which will help to ensure that seismic activity has the lowest possible impact on homes and other structures surrounding the quarry.