The Freetown, Mass., Soil Board voted to renew for one year a permit held by Cape Cod Aggregates to operate a quarry. This came despite protests from residents in Freetown and nearby Berkley, The South Coast Today reported.

About 20 residents spoke against the quarry’s permit, with some complaining about the increased operation, exposure to silica dust and blasting.

"The overall quality of life has been adversely affected since the operation of the quarry," Ted Quinn told the paper. "What was once known as a sand and gravel mining pit is now a full-blown industrial quarry operation located in a residential neighborhood … the once relatively quiet neighborhood is now disturbed by blasts ... occurring on a regular basis. When they blast, it feels like a truck or train hit my house."

However, town officials said they’ve investigated the operation and it does not produce silica dust, has exceeded federal and state standards, and has an improved safety record since Cape Cod Aggregates bought the sand and gravel operation in 2007.

Cape Cod Aggregates blasts about once per week, the paper reported. Freetown’s fire chief said he had attended several blasts at the quarry and the company had gone beyond requirements.

The entire site is about 88 acres, 24 of which CCA has a permit to operate as a quarry.