Maine City Debates Recycler’s Move

The owners of a scrap metal yard that is being pushed off the Portland, Maine, peninsula are discussing a move to South Portland with the new owner of the idle DuraStone concrete plant. New England Metal Recycling, which showed interest in buying the DuraStone site earlier this year, is now considering leasing part of the 24-acre property, said Jack Gibson, who recently bought the property.

Gibson said that discussions with the scrap metal company are preliminary but the business fits his overall plan to turn the property into a small industrial park for various recycling operations. He sees the site as an ideal location for the scrap yard because it is buffered from homes and has access to railroad tracks.

The city considered buying the property for a new public works complex, but voters rejected the idea in a referendum last month. Because of Gibson's plans, city officials in South Portland continue to watch the future of the property closely.

The City Council is considering stricter regulations for junk and scrap metal yards because of concerns that such businesses could cause additional traffic, and noise and environmental contamination. Councilors Maxine Beecher and Rosemarie DeAngelis said they aren't advocating a ban on scrap yards in South Portland but do have serious concerns about New England Metal Recycling coming to their community.

"So many of our concerns really surround the impact on residents," DeAngelis said. "What are the implications on the quality of life and peace and well-being?"

Councilors expect to vote tonight on extending a moratorium on new scrap yards for another 180 days. The delay would give them time to work out details of the new regulations, which include controlling how high junked cars can be stacked and what hours the yard can operate. A new yard, according to rules under consideration, would have to get Planning Board approval and a license from the council.

Gibson said people have to become educated about scrap yards. They are not dumping grounds, he said, but clean operations that hold scrap metal for a short time before the metal gets taken elsewhere for reuse.

"I just don't think (the council) would want to say no to any reasonable industry," said Gibson, the former president and owner of Scarborough-based Commercial Paving and Recycling.

Peggy McGehee, who represents New England Metal Recycling, said the company hopes the South Portland plan can happen. If not, it hopes Portland officials will help the company find a new home there or in a nearby community.

Portland officials have been working to move New England Metal Recycling from the city's Bayside neighborhood, which is being redeveloped into new housing, stores and offices.

One of the concerns of councilors in South Portland is why their city would want a business that Portland is trying to get rid of. Beecher said that to get her support, New England Metal Recycling and Gibson will have to prove that the yard would not affect the quality of life for nearby neighborhoods along Main Street.