200 attend Army Corps hearing in Tamworth

200 attend Army Corps hearing in Tamworth

By TERRY LEAVITT
Editor

TAMWORTH — More than 200 attended the Army Corps of Engineers’ public hearing on the proposed motorsports country club to be located on Mt. Whittier in Tamworth. Those in attendance were asked to register and note if they wanted to speak. Speakers were then called based on their registration cards. They were given three minutes to make their comments. A second stenographer was available outside the hearing room to record longer statements.

The corps held the hearing as part of its process of reviewing Club Motorsports, Inc.’s application for a permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. N.H. Department of Environmental Services joined with the corps on the hearing to meet its requirements for reviewing a Section 401 Water Quality Certification request.

Club Motorsports, the company that is planning to build the club, spoke first at the hearing. The company was represented by attorney Susan Duprey, Chief Executive Officer Stephan Condodemetraky and a representative from ESS, the engineering firm that is working on the project.

Although some detractors have questioned Club Motorsports ability to finance the project, Condodemetraky told officials that the project is moving along smoothly and that there are no problems with raising funds for the project. In fact, he said, “We have the ability to build 50 such facilities around the U.S. if we choose to do so.”

Duprey reiterated the company’s position that it has worked diligently to satisfy the requests of the Army Corps of Engineers and the N.H. Department of Environmental Services, revising plans in order to affect a smaller area of wetlands.

She objected to past characterizations of Club Motorsports plan as one that holds a particularly significant chance of pollution compared to surrounding businesses. Routes 16 and 25 sit over the heart of the aquifer, and there are a number of gas stations as well as businesses and homes with above ground fuel tanks. There is also a fuel storage facility on a nearby property. In such an area, the proposed facility would not pose any greater threat than already existed, she said.

In addition, although fuel and chemical spills can affect water supplies, she said, “There are engineering solutions to address those issues,” and added that Club Motorsports’ designs do address them.

She also discounted concerns about plants and wildlife, saying those had been rejected by DES in its consideration, and said that sound limits proposed by the town were unreasonable and unenforceable.

She ended by saying, “There are many people who support this project, hundreds and hundreds of them.” She said many have already applied for jobs at the new facility.

Most of the remaining speakers spoke against the project or raised concerns about its operation. Many of the issues raised at the hearing have been raised before, including potentials for noise, air, and water pollution, effects on wetlands, rare plants and wildlife and economic concerns.

Several speakers spoke directly to the issue of water quality, one of the prime concerns of the permit.

Martha Carlson said she has concerns with spring runoff from Whittier if significant sections of the hillside are paved.

Will Farnum said there is potential to fracture a water vein with the proposed blasting of ledge.

Many said they believe the noise from the track will be loud enough to bother people as near as the opposite side of Route 25 and as far away as Silver Lake.

Others spoke of racing courses in other communities and said residents had found the noise from them to be objectionable.

Deborah Maille, speaking on behalf of the Tamworth School Board asked the Army Corps to keep in mind the close proximity of Kenneth A. Brett School and the effect of noise on student’s abilities to concentrate on their work, when considering noise implications of the project.

Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale, pastor of St. Andrews Church, said she and her congregation are very concerned about the effects the noise will have on services, weddings and other events at the church, as well as those who now take advantage of the church and grounds for quiet meditation.

The proposed noise levels, she said, “may not be damaging to hearing, but could still be detrimental to mental health. I implore you to deny the permitting request.

Bruce Gordon, of Silver Lake Association, said that although the lake is five miles from the site, people there are concerned about the potential for noise and fuel spills. A decibel level of 100 at the track (a maximum recommended by the Automobile Club of America), he said, could be heard at 73 decibels at a home on Silver Lake, about the same amount of noise as a vacuum cleaner at three meters.

“This level of noise will certainly disrupt our tranquility,” he said.

Tamworth Community Nurse Joanne Rainville spoke about concerns about the noise as well as potential air and water pollution, safety for those using the track. She also noted that the project has already brought much stress to the town.

Christopher Menge, who was hired by Tamworth Foundation to do the original sound study on the project said he stands behind his study and the noise limits proposed by it, and said he is concerned now that there are no regulated limitations on the noise.

Stephen Gaal and Alex Moot talked about financial concerns over building the proposed country club. Both said they do not believe Club Motorsports will be able to raise the money needed for the project and that if it is abandoned, the town will be stuck with cleaning it up.

They, and others, asked the Army Corps of Engineers to require a performance bond if it approves the project.

Bob Schrader, co-owner of Tamworth Inn, said he doubts that the region could support another hotel like the one proposed as part of the facility. “There is just not the market to support the hotel rooms they propose,” he said, adding that some businesses will fail due to such competition.

Jim Boothby spoke in favor of the facility and presented what he said was an informal petition, with 265 names on it, of people who support the project.

“I am a resident and a small business owner,” he said. “I support the project and believe it will bring tax relief and cause tourism.”

He also said, “I don’t see how this facility is going to cause any more sound than Route 25 causes every day.”

He said a silent majority of people in town support Club Motorsports, although most of them did not come to speak because they have to work early in the mornings.

Lawyers from Rath, Young and Pignatelli, representing Focus: Tamworth, raised legal concerns over some procedures Club Motorsports has followed and also asked for noise limits and a performance bond.

Tom Vachon, president of Merrimac Software Associates said he and his wife, Kate, moved their company to the area because of its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. If the track is built, he said, he is not sure he would want to keep his company in the area.

Sheldon Perry noted that nearly half the views in Tamworth include Mt. Whittier and said the proposed facility would ruin the views. “No one wants to see this town with a hotel in the middle of every view,” he said.

The comment period remains open for written comments until Saturday, Oct. 16. Statements referencing the permit request (File #NAE-200302257) should be forwarded to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District Regulatory Division (Attn: Michael Hicks), 696 Viriginia Road, Concord, Mass., 01742-2751. Additional information can be found on the web at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil. Select Regulatory/Permitting and search by file number or state.