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Town of Milton officials want gravel pit study by Jan. 14

MILTON--Milton town officials hope to have results of a consultant’s study on a proposed gravel pit by Jan. 14, and town Supervisor Marian Trescher says she’s trying to “stir things up” to make sure it happens.

Trescher, who also chairs the town’s planning and zoning committee, said she’d been in touch with the consultants in past weeks, but the consultants were not at a meeting Monday to give an update on the status of the study.

The town this fall chose Cottage Grove hydrological engineer Montgomery Associates and Stoughton environmental firm Taylor Conservation to study how a 137-acre proposed gravel pit along North Klug Road could impact erosion, air quality and wildlife.

The study is viewed as the last stage in a months-long conditional-use permit application process for local landowner Scott Traynor gravel pit developer Tom Amon.

Amon’s Elkhorn gravel company Amon & Sons wants to develop the pit to fuel road construction projects.

Monday, Montgomery Associates hydrologist Steven Gaffield told The Gazette his firm and consultant Taylor Conservation have been plowing through permit materials the town and Amon have supplied.

He said the two firms were still doing fieldwork at the proposed pit site, but the study could be ready within the next four weeks.

Trescher said as of a week ago, Taylor Conservation was still checking the proposed pit site for wildlife that could be impacted by the pit. Firm owner Scott Taylor told The Gazette on Monday that his group was still in the early stages of working on the study.

Both firms have said they’d unveil the results at a public meeting.

Trescher said the town hopes to have results of the study by a meeting Jan. 14.

Planning and zoning committee member Scott Barker he hopes that if the study’s not finished by then, the firms can give the town partial findings.

For more on this story, read Tuesday's Gazette, The Gazette's e-edition, or check back at gazettextra.com