"People packed Hamden Town Hall to voice their concerns..."

More than two hundred people attended tonight's first installment of a public hearing on the proposed Whitney Avenue gravel pit. Sara Welch of WTNH-TV/Channel 8 was one of several television, radio, and print reporters who covered the hearing. Extracts from her report follow:

Heated debate over gravel pit plans in Hamden

"Stop the pit!" That's the battle cry from residents in one Hamden neighborhood
who are fighting a plan for a gravel pit....People packed Hamden Town Hall to
voice their concerns....The entrance along Route 10/Whitney Avenue is a major
concern. As many as 64-trucks a day would be coming and going from the site.
People also believe the project would forever alter the wetlands and ruin the
beauty of the Farmington canal green way that runs through the area....

"There are only three or four neighbors that are immediately impacted...," says Bob Wiedenmann, Sunwood Development....

The town's natural resources and open space commission (has) opposed the plan believing it will dramatically alter the environment and destroy wildlife in the area....

So many people want to speak on this issue, the town will continue tonight's meeting Oct. 25th.