POSTED: 12:25 pm EDT May 6, 2008

WINDHAM, N.H. -- Neighbors of a construction project in Windham are urging state officials not to give the builders permission to crush rocks in their area. The issue, officially, was air quality, but the neighbors said the construction project already has ruined their quality of life. At least a dozen residents vented their frustration to state environmental officials at a public hearing Monday night on the construction company's application to operate three rock-crushing machines. The town has suspected that blasting at an office park construction site has fouled drinking water, and residents said it's also caused noise and medical problems and filled their homes with dust. The state Air Resources Division will accept written comments from the public until Friday, then take 30 days to decide on an 18-month permit.