MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Construction is expected to ramp up this week at the Cell Signaling Technology worksite off Atwater Avenue now that the Planning Board has given the project a formal green light.
The company plans to build a scientific research and development facility at the site of an old granite quarry. The work will include additional blasting at the location that’s adjacent to Route 128.
Cell Signaling has received a state permit to conduct “trench blasting” to accommodate utility lines, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department said a statement about the work.
The permit called for blasting zone signs to have been posted on Route 128 by last Thursday, seven days before actual blasting is due to begin Thursday, Dec. 12.
“There will be one blast per day beginning Dec. 12, 2024, and ending by Dec. 22, 2024,” the Fire Department said. The permit requires the blasting to be conducted during the non-commuting hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Police Lt. Mark McCoy said a police detail was out Thursday on Route 128 assisting work crews placing signs warning motorists about the planned blasting.
“It’s kind of an ongoing process,” he said. “It’s just work that has be done.”
Police will be assigned to stop traffic when blasting takes place within 250 feet of Route 128, as approved and directed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Typical traffic delays may last only a few minutes or possibly as long as 10 minutes at a time, the Fire Department said, and a firefighter detail is expected to be on the scene during the blasting.
“The readings are forecasted to be no higher than previously experienced,” the Fire Department said. “Due to existing active utilities on the construction site that need to be deactivated, there will be an additional week of trench blasting at a later date. The public will be notified once this action has taken place and the blasting is scheduled.”
Prior to the issuance of the special permit, a number of blasts were conducted at the site, which includes ledge that needs to be removed for the construction.
Blasting results will be available at www.cstoldquarry.com.
The Planning Board on Nov. 25 voted 6-0 to approve a special permit for the project, paving the way for heavy construction to begin. The permit’s conditions including Cell Signaling Technology paying $1.3 million for traffic calming and sidewalk improvements in the area, as well as making improvements to a culvert at the site.
The issuance of the special permit allows Cell Signaling Technology to move into full construction of Phase 1 of the project, Cell Signaling spokesperson Paul Young said.
Under the terms of the special permit, the company will pay the town $100,000 within 30 days, $600,000 on or before July 1, 2025, and another $600,000 on or before July 1, 2026, he said.
The building plan began to take shape several years ago as Cell Signaling began to outgrow its global headquarters on Trask Lane in Danvers and its operations headquarters at 32 Tozer Road in Beverly.
The Manchester property was purchased in July 2022.
The privately held company, founded in 1999, develops and produces antibodies and other related reagents used to study the cell signaling pathways that affect human health. It employs about 700 workers worldwide with most working at the Danvers and Beverly sites.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.