Neighbors raise environmental and traffic concerns as council continues Allied Recycling hearing

Allied Recycling Center sought a wholesale junk license for a proposed metals recycling operation at 55 Concord Street. Attorney Teneessa Azar and company president Ed Jamieson described the site as industrially zoned, said Allied operates a larger facility in Walpole, Massachusetts, and said they plan to utilize rail transport and to fence and secure the property.

District councilor raised procedural concerns about public notice (the required mailing radius landed mostly on businesses, not residents) and said residents only learned of the proposal after a news report. Nearby residents spoke at the hearing, citing traffic and safety worries at a congested intersection, potential noise and rodent issues, and cited an environmental enforcement history for a Walpole facility in the last decade. Neighbors asked for additional time for public input.

Council agreed to continue the public hearing to the March 11 meeting to allow more resident outreach and to let the applicant respond in writing to the concerns raised. Attorney Azar acknowledged the notice met ordinance requirements and said the applicant would follow up with responses. The public hearing remains open and the council asked the applicant to meet with the district councilor and return with responses to the environmental and traffic questions.

Provenance: Applicant presentation (zoning certificate, industrial MO zone), resident testimony about notice and neighborhood impacts, and council action to continue the hearing.