Mining rep has few answers in gravel pit controversy

PARIS — Selectmen and concerned citizens heard from Joe Kania, a representative from the Mine Safety and Health Administration on May 2 in the newest chapter of the controversy over access to the town's gravel pit and the road that leads into it.

The dispute began as an issue over ATV access to Gravel Pit Road and has mushroomed into a larger debate over whether residents are allowed to access the pit at all.

Kania outlined Mining Safety regulations to the gathering, but provided no concrete solutions to the conundrum.

Kania said that Mining Safety training and safety guidelines needed to be followed by anyone working in or visiting the mine.

"Anyone entering the mine has to be cautioned in a number of ways," he said.

According to Kania, the road that leads into the gravel pit, the focal point of the controversy, is considered part of the mine, regardless of who owns it.

He said that the road might have fewer hazards than an active mine, and that Mining Safety was most interested in the road's speed limit and condition but would not take a position on who had rights to use it.

Kania repeatedly said that he was not equipped to take a position on using the gravel pit for recreation, and referred the town to seek the advice of an attorney or insurance company.

"I told you what the Mining Safety law said," Kania said. "That is, anyone who comes into the mine property that is exposed to mine hazards has to be instructed as to what those hazards are."

During his presentation, Kania was unable to offer any firm answers on how to end the gravel pit controversy.

Selectman Ted Kurtz told Kania that his statements could be construed as support for the opinions of either side in the Gravel Pit Road controversy.

"You have stepped right into a very hot-button political issue," Kurtz told the Mining Safety representative.

Kania said that he would be happy to visit the gravel pit and look at the situation in more detail.