Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article appearing in the April edition regarding the building of a crematorium addition to the existing Borgwardt Funeral home located on Powder Mill Road, Beltsville.  The purpose of this letter is to gain more widespread dissemination to residents of Beltsville of the potential health hazards and other downsides of constructing a crematorium in a residential area.

My husband and I are longtime residents of Beltsville, and are in total agreement with everything stated in the April article opposing construction in a residential area.  We are very concerned with the numerous potential adverse risks associated with the safety, health, environmental, and property values stated in the April article, should the proposed crematorium be constructed in our community.  I also performed my own research which confirmed all of these claims.

As far as I am aware, no information has been provided regarding these risks to residents of the community.  There was a community meeting at the Borgwardt Funeral Home to inform the Beltsville community about the crematorium project.  I attended that meeting last fall, and heard presentations by the zoning attorney’s office, the equipment manufacturer, and the owner of the funeral home.  I also gave a short presentation of all of the concerns stated in the referenced April Letter to the Editor.  Of the 25 or so attendees, several of them stood to address these same concerns, with one of them asking the equipment manufacturer (attending remotely) to address the potential health risks.  The response provided was something along the lines of, “I’m not a scientist, so I can’t address that”; no one else was able to either.  As noted above, we are unaware that any information regarding the health and environmental risks and real estate value impacts has been shared by our County representatives. 

Shortly thereafter, my husband and I registered as persons of record for the Special Exception application filed seeking approval of the crematorium project.  The fact that we were the only two individuals registered to share our concerns, supports my belief that our county reps never shared the potential negative impacts, only the positive information to support a longtime Beltsville business; which I hold in the highest regard both personally and professionally.  Subsequently, a virtual hearing was conducted by the Zoning Hearing Examiner which allowed the funeral home to present evidence in support of its project.  My husband and I were the only persons who presented in opposition to the special exception application.  We expressed our many concerns with the proposed crematorium being built in a densely populated residential community.  Those concerns included environmental and health issues, ranging from the expulsion of particulate matter (such as mercury from dental fillings) to the impact the construction will have on community real estate values. 

It is apparent to me that the “greater Beltsville community” to be impacted was not engaged.  When the recently formed “Citizens Against The Crematorium In Residential Beltsville” goes door-to-door to discuss this proposed project with nearby residents, only a handful have even heard mention of the proposed construction, with none of the possible risks and negative aspects ever being shared with them.

As part of my research, I contacted three democratic candidates running for the soon to be vacant District 1 County Council seat.  Two of them, Martin Mitchell and Darwin Romero, agree that the better location for construction of a crematorium is in an industrial area (like the existing crematorium on Tucker Street, Beltsville), rather than right in the middle of our living space.  The third candidate I reached out to – Michelle Garcia, who did not respond --  is currently the Chief of Staff for Councilman Dernoga.  Since Mr. Dernoga’s office was a part of the approval process for this project, I can only assume that Ms. Garcia holds the same position in favor of the crematorium.

This proposed project should be a major concern for all Beltsville residents.  We urge you to be informed of the potential health risks we are facing as individuals, the impact to the environment, the adverse impact to our home resale values and the ability to sell them.  If you would like to receive further updates or additional information, an email address has been set-up for you to submit your contact information.  Someone from this group will be happy to deliver written materials to support possible risks, etc., along with a petition for you to register as being in opposition, if you desire.  This project is moving forward at a rapid rate, so I suggest everyone become engaged quickly.  Just like the numerous data centers being planned in most rural and residential areas, it is too late to oppose after construction.

If you want to keep updated on any future happenings on this matter, please send your contact information to:  StopCrematorium@gmail.com.

Deborah Baggett