By Kristy O’Connell
Several Roslyn Heights residents gathered Monday to protest the work of a masonry located on Powerhouse Road, saying that the business is performing hazardous industrial work in a residential area.
Powerhouse Mason Supply, located at 85 Powerhouse Road along the Long Island Expressway service road, has been raising concerns in Roslyn Heights for several years now, as some residents claim that the dust emitted from the cutting of stone is a health hazard.
Shah Giashuddin, a doctor of pathology and resident of Roslyn Heights lives at 77a Powerhouse Road and says the cutting of stone emits several toxins and pollutants, including Silica, which is known to cause respiratory ailments, including cancer, when inhaled over long periods of time.
“We hope the town will do something so we have the opportunity to breathe fresh air,” he said.
Giashuddin said that he and several other residents near the masonry have been fighting for something to be done for four years and are especially concerned for the children in the area.
According to Giashuddin, the operations performed at 85 Powerhouse Road, like the storage and cutting of stone, are industrial, and therefore should not be permitted.
He said that while his efforts to come to an agreement with the owner of Powerhouse Mason Supply were unsuccessful, he did contact the Town of North Hempstead for assistance.
“The health, safety and welfare of our residents is critically important to the Town, which is why we have initiated legal action against the operator, Powerhouse Mason Supply, LLC, for violations of the Town code,” said Carole Trottere, Spokesperson for the Town of North Hempstead.
Steve Osman, the owner of Metropolitan Pacific Properties, located at 79 Powerhouse Road, said that his building has remained empty since he purchased it four years ago because his current employees do not want to work in a hazardous location.
“I wish him well, but not on this service road where there are residential homes,” said Osman.
Osman also said that the masonry receives daily deliveries, causing road blockages and additional traffic hazards.
A Board of Zoning Appeals hearing will be held on May 17 at 10 a.m., to which residents are encouraged to attend and give their statements regarding this issue.
The owner of Powerhouse Mason Supply did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.
