Proposed gravel pits raise concern

There’s a proposal to build a gravel pit in the Thornton area. People around the rural location have major concerns.

“It’s the quietness and cleanliness that comes with living in the country,” said Melanie Walker.

The tight knit community is just off Highway 20 is a place where homeowners have laid down roots.

“We think about each other, watch out for each other,” said Dan Goulding. “If Kim sees my driveway needs plowed, he’s usually over here in pretty good shape, taking care of it.”
“We’d like our little community to stay our little community,” said Walker. “The one we bought, where we had our desires for retiring, and living and growing and having our family out here.”

The lifestyle they’ve built could be changing. Jerome Bowen Construction proposed to Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission to develop a gravel pit.
Bowen Construction told homeowners, after their use of the pit they plan to beautify it and create a park. Although, people in Thornton feel there are too many risks.
“Gravel pits are notoriously known for dust and noise,” said Goulding.
“I’ve got children with breathing problems, the air pollution and stuff will bring with that,” said Tara Holdaway.
“I actually had a child hit on the road up there and lost him in ’95,” said Walker. “Traffic along that road is a big thing to me.”

Homes in the area are all on private wells and septic. The development of the pits does cause issue with local water supply.

“The underground water flow, to me, is exposed to all of the above air contaminents,” said Goulding. “The gravel pit will be directly over the aquifer where the water feeds into the Thornton town site as well as the homes to the South.”

Home value could be affected as well. One resident said they were trying to sell their home and once the proposal for gravel pits was disclosed the buyer backed out. Although, it’s more than just money and noise that has made this an issue.

“If this develops, my daughter and her family consider leaving,” said Walker. “That’s a heartbreak to me.”

Local News 8 reached out to Bowen Construction Company, but haven’t heard back. As of right now, the proposal has been tabled because the correct permits haven’t been issued for the development.