A chemical manufacturer wants to build a 51-acre facility in Berwick. Here’s what to know.
General Biological seeks approval to build 51‑acre chemical testing plant in Berwick
Berwick, Maine – The town’s planning board heard a proposal on September 6 to establish a 51‑acre manufacturing site at 500 Portland Street, a parcel that has been approved for industrial use but never developed. The proposed site would house a Massachusetts‑based company, General Biological, which says it will build and test “skids” – the heavy machinery used to produce industrial chemicals – but will not manufacture or detonate any of the chemicals on site.
The company plans to store up to 1,000 pounds of RDX (cyclonite), a synthetic explosive used in plastics and military ordnance, in a barricaded magazine. According to co‑founder and chief technology officer David Sozanski, the storage must be 400 feet from the nearest occupied building. A July survey measured the actual distance at 950 feet, well above the requirement. “We intend to be as unobtrusive as possible,” Sozanski told the board.
Sozanski said the site would use two existing buildings on the property to assemble the skids and add a large concrete testing pad. The company will not set up detonation sites and will test only the machinery, not the chemicals themselves. “In the event of an emergency, like an explosion, the force it would produce is low enough that injury is unlikely,” he added, noting that windows might crack.
Safety and emergency planning
The company will store bulk chemicals in dedicated hazmat containers equipped with fire suppression systems. Chemicals will be kept wet and sealed in anti‑static bags to reduce reactivity. Security measures will include cameras, card access and an alarm system to prevent unauthorized access.
Because the site will contain a potentially explosive material, the National Fire Protection Association classifies it as “Division 1.” “For Division 1 materials, no attempt is made to fight the fire. You basically just back off,” Sozanski explained. General Biological will need to secure a storage permit for flammable materials, and the town’s fire chief will review the plan before approval.
Sozanski said he has only briefly spoken with local fire officials but plans to work with agencies to create a comprehensive emergency response plan. Residents voiced concerns about the risk of an accidental explosion or fire. Molly Jalbert, who lives adjacent to the proposed site, said, “We are not asking the board to speculate that this is dangerous. We are asking the board not to speculate that it is safe.” She also noted that, in a letter from Sozanski, the company confirmed an explosion is a possibility, even with safety precautions.
Town’s authority and next steps
Planning board chair Nichole Fecteau said that some aspects of the plan, such as Department of Defense safety guidelines that General Biological hopes to follow, fall outside the town’s jurisdiction. “We can only ensure the plans align with town ordinances,” she told the hearing. The board can, however, require a third‑party review to assess worst‑case scenarios and determine financial reserves for a disaster.
On a 3‑2 vote, the board ordered the company to hire an independent agency – paid by General Biological – to conduct the risk assessment. The agency will also help calculate how much money the company should set aside if an emergency occurs.
The planning board will continue to discuss the proposal in future meetings while it considers the third‑party study. The outcome will determine whether the 51‑acre site can be developed, potentially bringing new industrial activity to Berwick while addressing community safety concerns.
