Black dust worries Westerly residents

WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) – A black dust is causing concern for some residents in a Westerly neighborhood.

Some Bradford and Charlestown residents complain that they are waking up to a coat of black dust on their cars and windows.

Bradford resident Danielle Balbat found a layer of black covering her swing set, back porch, and even on her window sills. She says the thick dust builds up everyday.

“Copar Industries just started operation in January, so we hadn’t put two and two together, and then we see them driving up and down and then started linking the two together,” said resident Danielle Balbat.

Copar industries blasts large rock and reduces sand and stone. Balbat says the black dust is blowing from the worksite, which is less than a mile from her home. She has already paid tens of thousands of dollars to clean the sheet of black off of her property.

Balbat decided that legal action was necessary.

“Our cries are falling on deaf ears. Our complaints to the DEM are falling on deaf ears. So that’s why we had to get involved with the litigation, nobody chose the lawsuit first,” she said.

Copar Industries owner Samuel Cocopar says the dust is not from his company. He says he is willing to discuss the concerns of residents, but is not planning on leaving the area.

“It’s never fallen on deaf ears. We are trying to find a happy medium to work with the residents. This is an industrial zone, this is what it is meant for,” said Cocopar.

"They may be following and complying with state and federal laws but there is a quality of life issue and you cannot dispute, cannot dispute the fact that their property values are being injured here." said Charlestown Town Council President Thomas Gentz. 

Residents were able to voice their concerns and hear from Copar Industries directly at the Westerly Town Council meeting.