HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 5-18-1999Board of Selectman Meeting . .
Minutes
May 18,1999
Attendees Present: Selectman: Dianne Royle, Chairman; Brad Wills Clerk;
Lou Amoroso,
Town Manager: John D'Agostino,
Recreation Commission: Lynne McDonnell; Dave Leary,
Director of Parks and Recreation: Lorilee Fish,
President of Midget Football: Brendan Kiley,
Department of Public Works: Mike Ahern; Mark Cook,
Conservation and Environmental Planner: Dick Lewis,
Health Agent: Scott Leite,
Penney Engineering: Ralph Penney; Mark J. Willett
The meeting began at 8:00 PM.
John D'Agostino began with the following brief overview:
- Soil testing at Memorial Park five to six feet below the surface was conducted to determine the
levels of contamination.
The testing was conducted to locate and understand the contamination.
Samples were taken from several areas throughout the park.
The contamination was isolated to the back quadrant including the football practice field,
basketball courts, volleyball court, and sand playground.
Ralph Penney led the following discussion detailing his findings:
- A creosote odor was detected upon digging up the soil samples.
- Library research was conducted in an effort to retrace the steps of the contaminants ending up
at Memorial Park.
- From 1775 Mansfield was largely an industrial and railroad community.
- Construction of Memorial Park and its contents over the years identified a wading pool with
its
exact location up for dispute.
- The pool was filled in or around 1968.
- It is speculated that solid fill was needed and perhaps the contamination was brought in as fill.
- The football field and basketball courts were built many years ago.
- The lower quadrant of Memorial Park contains some concrete and pipe fill.
- The contamination levels throughout the park were determined by test pit sites.
- The test pits indicated that the most concentrated levels of contamination were found three to
four feet underneath the basketball courts.
- Contamination was found at six inches underneath the practice field.
- The amount of contamination was not found to be level throughout the park.
- The contamination is un- moving and oily, therefore not water- soluble and does not effect the
water supply.
- The asphalt and cole -tar levels found in the soil are associated with the PAH levels found in
the
soil.
In the 1980's the EPA tested the compounds found and determined some to be toxic while
others remain non - toxic.
Method I clean -up standards would lead to problems among public perception of the situation
and cost $9 million for the removal and discarding the large amount of contaminated material.
Discussion of the Soil Category Selection Matrix and the Human Exposure Potential indicates
that Memorial Park falls under the S -2 category reducing the potential for exposure where the
contaminants are located in potentially accessible soil.
John D'Agostino discussed burying the contamination by bringing in two to three feet of loom
subsequently reducing the potential for exposure.
Ralph Penney continued:
- By placing a layer of fabric cloth, a layer of sand, and a layer of loom the possibility of expo-
sure
is minimized.
- A Health and Safety Plan should be set in place under the supervision of the DEP.
- The grass and pavement should be carefully maintained, while a layer of concrete should be
poured over the basketball courts to further minimize the risk of exposure.
John D'agostino questioned the life expectancy of pouring concrete over the courts.
Ralph Penney explained:
- The courts should be sealed for about 30 years when using a matt foundation.
- The town of Mansfield has 120 days to notify the DEP and a one year period to resolve and
clean up the contamination.
John D'Agostino stated:
- Greatly concerned as to the current exposure to Memorial Park participants.
- The town needs to proceed with an action plan regarding exposure and clean up.
- It would be a compromise to cover the fields and further bury the contamination.
- Release an abatement plan and submit it to the DEP for approval or denial.
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Ralph Penney continued:
- Memorial Park can be divided into four problem areas.
- Bring in 12 inches of sand, 12 inches of loom, and pour 8 -12 inches of concrete over the
basketball courts to remediate problem areas.
- The cost factor of this suggested clean up, without engineering and the approval from the DEP,
is approximately $350,000.
- The preceding action plan will entail closing the lower area of Memorial Park for one to two
years.
John D'Agostino suggested:
- The Memorial Park facility should be shut down due to the knowledge of the levels of
contamination.
- The short -term risk exposure is unknown.
- The town of Mansfield should err on the side of conservation.
Dianne Royle agrees that Memorial Park should be closed where it would be irresponsible to
allow the facility to remain open with the knowledge of the toxic contamination.
Mike Ahern explained:
- The best time for seeding would be the fall.
- The spreading should begin in September with the seeding in October.
- It will take about one month the cover the practice field area.
John D'Agostino described the following steps:
- Conduct a risk assessment.
- Activate an action plan for remediation.
- Submit to the DEP as soon as possible.
- Get together as a group to finalize the proposed plan for clean -up.
Ralph Penney suggests talking first with the DEP before submitting a report.
Bredan Kiley questions what response would be appropriate to give a concerned parent regarding
his /her child's level and risk of exposure.
Scott Leite states that the participants of Memorial Park activities experienced low levels of
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contamination. The risks are low with no indication of related health problems.
John D'Agostino concludes that the town will issue a joint statement from the Public Health
Official and the Town Manager clarifying any concerns and addressing related health issues.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sherri Gurnon, mmission Secretary
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