The meeting’s primary focus was the appeal by Ledge Road Reality Holdings and Newport Aggregates against a cease and desist order issued by the building commissioner. The order targeted the use of Ledge Road by commercial vehicles, citing increases in truck traffic. Newport’s representative, Dave McKay, argued that the town had unfairly singled out Newport, questioning the validity of the traffic data used to justify the enforcement action. McKay highlighted discrepancies in the data, noting that the town relied on outdated and aggregate traffic counts from 2017, which did not accurately reflect Newport’s operational status. He contended that other commercial users, such as Graves, also contributed to the increased traffic but were not similarly targeted by the enforcement actions.

A point of contention was the traffic data itself, which some participants claimed showed an increase from 43 trucks per day to 500. Newport’s representatives argued that this data was unreliable, emphasizing that the May 2017 traffic count, which recorded 48 trucks, was used selectively and did not account for Newport’s operations, as the company had not been operational until later that year. They pointed out that October 2017 data might offer a more accurate snapshot, yet it still failed to provide a complete picture of the situation.

Residents remained unconvinced by Newport’s defense. Many shared personal accounts of the impact of increased truck traffic on their daily lives, citing noise, diesel fumes, and safety hazards. Everett, a long-time resident, urged the board to deny Newport’s appeal, emphasizing the disruptive nature of the operations. Melissa Lauren accused Newport of prioritizing profits over community welfare, challenging claims that the town’s data was flawed and calling for Newport to provide counter-evidence if they disputed the findings.

The debate over the validity of the traffic data extended to discussions on the legal implications of zoning laws and the concept of pre-existing non-conforming use. Participants expressed differing interpretations of historical operations on Ledge Road, with Newport’s representatives maintaining that their operations did not constitute an unlawful expansion. Despite these assertions, residents and some board members argued that the significant increase in traffic was incompatible with the residential character of the area.

In response to the ongoing concerns, a state representative expressed support for the residents, emphasizing the necessity for zoning laws that ensure neighborhood compatibility. They suggested redirecting truck traffic to Westford, where Newport’s properties are located, to alleviate the burden on Chelmsford. The representative also offered to facilitate discussions between the towns and the Department of Transportation to seek long-term solutions to the traffic issues.

As the meeting progressed, board members deliberated on the enforcement order. While some members acknowledged that multiple factors contributed to the increased traffic, they recognized the need for a comprehensive analysis of all businesses operating in the area. A consensus emerged that while Newport was part of the problem, addressing the broader issue of traffic increases required a coordinated response involving state authorities.