If you live in Utica and you felt a blast in mid-September, the quarrying company wants you to know they’ll work with the village.

Thursday, a half dozen villagers appeared before the Utica Village Board to protest blasting by Lafarge Aggregates Illinois, Inc. One of the residents, Doug Overlee, likened a mid-September blast to an earthquake that struck Starved Rock Country in the early 2000s.

Willis Fry, a resident of Oak Bluff Estates, said he appreciated the timely feedback from LaFarge and its subcontractor – “We got a call back the same day” – and that he was further grateful company employees, and not lawyers, contacted them.

“Nevertheless, I don’t think that leaves them off the hook,” Fry said.

In response, John Fay, land manager for Lafarge North America, Inc., acknowledged that operations had been moved further north within the quarry and “part of this may be that we’re moving closer to where the homes are."

LaFarge representatives did express surprise the recent blasting was so disruptive – the company insists the eight “shots” fired this year were similar in strength – and explained any impact felt was likely a consequence of air pressure, not from the ground moving.

Nevertheless, LaFarge expressed a willingness to install seismographs where requested and to share with the village the government-regulated records.

“We invite scrutiny,” Fay said, adding later, “We’re here to work with the village.”

In other matters, the board:

• Donated $4,000 to the La Salle County Historical Society for the Oct. 10-11 Canal Market finale event.

• Announced trick-or-treating would be addressed at the October board meeting.

• Donated $500 to Utica Fire Department toward expenses for the annual car show on Oct. 10.