Tiverton holds public hearing on proposed crematorium, vote pushed back 30 days

TIVERTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A public hearing was held on Tuesday night regarding the proposed crematorium that could be built right on Main Road in Tiverton. 

The board voted to extend the decision another thirty days, until they meet again May 9th.

People against the build went to Tiverton Middle School to express their frustration, adding that they sense the application for this build includes words that are helping the builders — Sakonnet partners LLC — cut corners.

“I thought I had him tonight. The town of Tiverton, incinerators are illegal. I proved to him, I have the paperwork from the manufacturer that it’s called in incinerator, not a crematorium, it’s an incinerator,” Richard St. Pierre, a homeowner next to the site said.

Residents at the meeting added that the reason Sakonnet Partners LLC is trying to operate in Tiverton is because they can’t operate a funeral home and crematorium in Massachusetts, per state law.

“He’s going to bring bodies in, out of state, cremate them here, and bring them back to Massachusetts,” St. Pierre said.

Residents also said they’re concerned about what the smokestack on the crematorium will emit into the air.

“Look, I drive a truck for a living. I suck up every bit of fumes you could find in every major city. I don’t need to go home on my two days off, and relax in my yard, and suck this up,” Robert Fazzina said. 

Fazzina’s home is under 100 feet away from where the smokestack would be.

“If you wanted to put a restaurant there, I could care less, but you’re not putting a crematorium with a sack that high, under my grandson’s window,” he added.

We asked Sakonnet Partners LLC for comment after the board meeting, but they declined to interview at this time. 

The next public hearing will be May 2nd, and the board will meet again on May 9th to vote on the proposed crematorium.