NO QUARRY IN BERKLEY!

Hello, my name is Steve Castellina and I live on 141 Padelford Street.  I have lived in town since 1978.  I am running for Selectman because I think that I can help improve this town.  I believe in due process of law and believe that the Town by-laws must be followed as written.  This is my platform.  I have seen first hand due process abused in this town. I have seen the by-laws violated also.  I also believe in being fair with people.  Common sense must be used when there is discretion.

I believe that the character of this town should not be drastically changed from the way it was when we first decided to reside or set up a business here.

I will say that if I am elected and if this comes before the Board of Selectmen, I guarantee to anyone involved in the quarry issue that I will do everything in my power to arrive at the correct and fair decision. I am not aligned with any group or issue. I work for the Federal government and I don’t have any hidden agenda or special interest that I want to promote other than what I said above.

I would like to point out words from the Town by-law (Article 21) about special permits. It says that when a special permit is granted (for a business) that one of the consideration criteria is “neighborhood character”.  It also says that the “adverse effects of the proposed use will not outweigh its beneficial impacts to the town or the neighborhood, in view of the particular characteristics of the site, and of the proposal in relation to that site”.  In the Rules and Regulations of the Special Permit Granting Authority, it says, “ A special permit shall only be granted if the SPGA finds that the proposed use or construction is in harmony with the intent of Article 21 and will have no significant adverse effect on the community, the immediate neighborhood, or the streets in the vicinity”.

At the 4/29/08 selectman meeting Mr. Anctil declined to comment on the issue preferring to remain impartial to the soil application.