The property at 145 Temple St. will remain untouched as Newport Construction has decided not to open a hot mix asphalt plant in Nashua. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Newport Construction Corp. recently announced that the proposal for a hot mix asphalt plant has been discontinued.

The plant, which was proposed for the four-acre parcel at 145 Temple St., was unanimously rejected by the Planning Board in June 2023.

In his denial letter, Planning Manager Samuel Durfee said the site plan was not consistent with Nashua’s Master Plan, that an asphalt plant would generate excessive traffic and that such a facility could not coexist with the surrounding industrial uses.

In response, Attorney Thomas Hildreth, counsel for Newport, filed an Appeal of Administrative Decision in Hillsborough County Superior Court South requesting that the Planning Board’s decision be reversed.

Michael Naughton, spokesperson for the Conservation Law Foundation, said CLF and Riverfront Landing “moved to intervene” after Newport filed its appeal.

“The Superior Court denied our request to intervene,” he said. “We, along with Riverfront Landing, appealed that decision to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in June (2024) and the city of Nashua assented to our brief.”

CLF Attorney Heidi Trimarco said Nashua residents can finally “breathe a sigh of relief.”

“This polluting plant will not be coming to their community,” she said. “This is a victory for those in Nashua who stood up to demand safe air to breathe and to protect the health, safety and quality of life of the neighborhood. The outcome is proof that the collective will of a community can prevail when all voices are given the chance to be heard.”

Although the reason for Newport’s decision remains unclear, Trimarco maintained that the company would have faced a costly and uphill battle by taking the matter before the Supreme Court.

“They were in for a vigorous court fight,” she said. “Perhaps they saw the writing on the wall.”

Sarah Jane Knoy, executive director of the Granite State Organizing Project, said that had the plans gone forward, the asphalt plant would have invaded a neighborhood that is home to many residents of color.

“The Nashua faith and immigrant communities came together to stand in solidarity against the environmental injustice the asphalt plant proposal represents,” she said. “We hope this is just the start of addressing historic patterns of health disparities caused by environmental racism.”