Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Community Relations Plan Former Silicon Transistor Corporation 27 Katrina Road. EPA Brownfields Cleanup Program

Transcription

1 Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts Community Relations Plan Former Silicon Transistor Corporation 27 Katrina Road EPA Brownfields Cleanup Program December 16, 2010 Community Development Department Town Offices 50 Billerica Road Chelmsford, Massachusetts

2 Table of Contents I. Overview of the Community Relations Plan II. Site Description III. Spokesperson and Information Repository IV. Nature of threat to public health and the environment V. Community background VI. Key Concerns VII. Continued Community Involvement

3 I. OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN A Community Relations Plan (CRP) is a required component of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Cleanup Grant program. The Town of Chelmsford (the Town) has prepared this CRP for the cleanup of Former Silicon Transistor Corporation property located at 27 Katrina Road (the Site). This CRP outlines the community relations activities the Town will conduct during the cleanup activities at the Site. The community relations program is designed to address issues of public concern, inform interested citizens and officials about the progress of site activities, and provide information about opportunities for public involvement at the Site. This CRP and the community relations activities will be an on-going effort by the Town. Changes to this CRP will be made periodically as needed. The community relations activities pertaining to the Brownfield Cleanup Grant will be complete at the end of the cleanup activities. Any comments or questions on this CRP should be sent to the spokesperson indicated in the section below. II. SITE DESCRIPTION The Site, owned by the Town, is located at 27 Katrina Road in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The Site consists of an approximate 3.12-acre parcel of land occupied by an approximate 34,346 square foot building and associated storage sheds. The Site is currently unoccupied. A Locus Plan is included as Figure 1. Please refer to Figure 2 for a Site Plan. The Site was formerly used for electronics manufacturing by KSC Semiconductor Corporation from 1965 to the early 1970 s and STC from the 1970 s to The Town acquired the Site in Occupants prior to 2007 include a granite countertop company, a motorcycle tire sales company, and a moving/storage company.

4 Site Activities to Date Past The following documents provide details of previous investigations that were completed at the Site. The initial release was discovered through assessment work completed at the property in 1987 and subsequent investigations to assess Public Water Supply Wells: Phase I Report Environmental Site Assessment completed by Wheatstone Engineering & Consulting, Inc., August 2008; Phase III Report Remedial Action Plan completed by MassDEP contractor Brown and Caldwell, March 2003; Phase II Report Comprehensive Site Assessment completed by MassDEP Site Assessment and Remediation Support Services contractor TRC Environmental Corporation, December 2000; Phase III Report Identification, Evaluation, and Selection of Comprehensive Remedial Action Alternatives completed by Camp, Dresser, McKee, Inc., December 1996; Phase II Report Comprehensive Site Assessment completed by Camp, Dresser,McKee, Inc., December 1996 and; Phase I Tier Classification, 1996 Current The following sections provide details regarding additional environmental investigations that were completed during April These activities were performed by Nobis Engineering, Inc. (Nobis), a subcontractor to the EPA through a Targeted Brownfields Assessment Grant (TBA). Nobis conducted the oversight of drilling and soil investigations at the Site from April 5, 2010 to April 9, Drilling activities included the advancement of soil borings on the exterior and interior of the Site building, field-screening of soils utilizing the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) soil headspace screening method and the collection of soil

5 samples to be submitted for laboratory analysis. Selected soil borings were completed as new groundwater monitoring wells. New groundwater monitoring wells installed during the investigation were developed using a surge and pump technique. On April 13, 2010, newly-installed monitoring wells were surveyed for elevation data and groundwater levels were gauged using an interface probe. Based on the results of the survey and groundwater level measurements, shallow overburden groundwater on and in the vicinity of the Site was determined to flow to the southeast, which is consistent with historic interpretations. After a one-week stabilization period for the newly-installed wells, Nobis collected groundwater samples using the EPA Region I Low Flow/Low Stress method. The groundwater samples were submitted to a laboratory for the same analytical parameters as soil samples. A hazardous materials building survey was conducted by a Nobis subcontractor on April 14, 2010 and April 21, The survey was conducted to assess the building for the presence of leadbased paint (LBP) and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and also to inventory additional potential hazardous materials that may be in the building as a result of previous uses III. SPOKESPERSON & INFORMATION REPOSITORY An Administrative Record and Information Repository will be available at the following location; in addition public comments will be included and responded to in this record. All public comments should be directed to the spokesperson identified below. Spokesperson and location of Administrative Record and Information Repository: Evan Belansky Community Development Director 50 Billerica Road, Town Offices Chelmsford, MA Telephone: Fax:

6 Website: Information will be available for public review and comment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. IV. NATURE OF THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT The site is its current state does not pose an eminent or direct threat to public health. Based on the results of historical and recent investigations conducted by Nobis, the following are Contaminants of Concern (COCs) to soil and/or groundwater, based on exceedances to current Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Method 1 Standards: Perchloroethylene (PCE) (soil, groundwater); Dichlorobenzene (DCB)(-1,2, -1,3, and -1,4) (soil, groundwater); 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (TCE) (soil, groundwater); Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbons (VPH) and one target analyte (ethylbenzene) (soil, groundwater); Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH) (C9-C18 Aliphatics) (groundwater); Nickel (soil); and Arsenic (groundwater). Based on the results of historical and recent investigations conducted by Nobis, shallow and deep soils beneath the building slab have been impacted by COCs. The contaminated soils beneath the slab constitute a source area where Site contaminants are continually dissolving into groundwater and are being adjectively transported downgradient. The results of the hazardous materials survey are summarized below: Laboratory analysis of samples collected during the ACM survey confirms the presence of ACM on and within the various sections of the building at the site. ACMs

7 included floor tiles and associated mastics, pipe insulation, cement board, window glazing, asphalt roofing, and built-up roofing. Trace levels of PCBs were detected in window glazing. Several of the tested surfaces indicated elevated levels of lead in paint (> 1.0 mg/m 3 ), which are all located within the interior of the building. All tested paints in locations outside the building were less than 1.0 mg/m 3. As the cleanup plan is finalized and methods are evaluated, risk and exposure to human health will be considered at each stage to minimize threat. This will be updated in the administrative record as the project moves forward. V. COMMUNITY BACKGROUND Brownfields impact the Town of Chelmsford and its residents. MassDEP currently identifies 188 State release sites for Chelmsford where oil or hazardous spills and releases have occurred and require environmental management. A review of MassDEP s Hazardous waste site database indicates that at least 28 of these release sites are currently open, which indicates that assessment or cleanup is necessary or ongoing at these sites. Ultimately, with the remediation and redevelopment of the Brownfields sites in Chelmsford, the community will benefit by having the properties returned to the tax rolls, protecting public health through environmental remediation, and creating jobs for the long-term economic security of the Town. Redevelopment of Brownfields and abandoned buildings by the Town will also encourage investment by outsider developers. In the target area for this project, the environmental impacts of contamination are also significant. The contamination has affected a Zone II drinking water aquifer and a public drinking water supply well. The target area contains significant environmental resources which include the River Meadow Brook, a Priority Habitat of Rare Species for rare turtle habitat area

8 designated by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and acres of wetlands. These environmental resources are a value for the community and the natural ecosystem, and provide recreation opportunities. The risk of environmental impact to these areas adversely affects everyone in the community. VI. KEY CONCERNS The primary source of contamination at the Site is associated with the former Microstrip discharge pipe (hereinafter referred to as discharge pipe ). Microstrip is a degreasing solution used in the silicon manufacturing process to degrease and clean circuits and equipment. Microstrip is reported to contain PCE, petroleum products such as creosol, and other chemicals. Spent Microstrip fluids were discharged through the discharge pipe to a partially buried holding tank located at the northern portion of the Site building. This holding tank, according to information contained in previous reports, frequently overflowed and released its contents to the surrounding soils. This released waste initially migrated through soils vertically downward and horizontally beneath the building within sandy soils (from 5 feet to 50 feet bgs and 80 feet to 90 feet bgs), thereby impacting soils and groundwater at areas located beneath the building and to the south and southeast. Although numerous investigations have been conducted to assess the nature and extent of contamination at the Site and adjacent properties, the area beneath the building (source area) has yet to be fully assessed, because of limitations imposed by the site building. Shallow soil borings and soil sampling was conducted within the foot print of the Site building during the recent TBA. Height restrictions limiting the type of drill rig that could be utilized and indoor air quality concerns with exhaust from the drill rig limited the depth and locations of these investigations. Full assessment of the source area beneath the building slab is necessary in order to develop a remedial approach to clean up. If the source area beneath the building is not remediated, COCs will continue to dissolve into groundwater and migrate downgradient. This project will remove the threats that currently exist of contaminated soil from past uses of the property. This topic will be updated as the assessment and remediation continue in the form of the administrative record.

9 VII. CONTINUED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Since acquiring the property, the Town has undertaken a significant public process to engage the community in the project, and will continue to do so. The overall goal of the Community Relations Program is to continue to communicate the environmental issues at the Site to all stakeholders, Town of Chelmsford, MassDEP, EPA, local officials, and community residents. The Community Relations Program keeps local officials and residents informed of the status of all site activities, and provides opportunities for interested citizens to participate in the process. As part of the continued community involvement process, the Town s community engagement program will consist of a multimedia approach including public meetings, website updates and press releases. Targeted outreach, via direct mailing, will be conducted to all abutters within 300 ft, community-based organizations that have committed to play an active role, and anyone who has signed an attendance sheet based upon a prior meeting. Specifically, a minimum of three public meetings will be scheduled before, during and at the completion of this cleanup grant. Town staff and the Town s Licensed Site Professional will present information and answer questions at these meetings. All abutters, including property owners within 300 feet of the property will receive invitation, via direct mailing, to these public meetings. These meetings will be held as part of a regularly scheduled and televised Board of Selectmen s meeting. VIII. OTHER COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES This section lists specific community relations activities that will be carried out to meet the objectives of the Community Relations Plan for the Site. 1. Maintain Information Repository. The Town of Chelmsford s Community Development Department is the designated information repository for the Site. The EPA will review the

10 information repository periodically to ensure that they are up-to-date and include all pertinent Site information, as well as generic information. 2. Provide an Information Contact for the Community. To meet the information needs of Town officials and community members, the Town has designated Evan Belansky, Community Development Director as the information contact for the Project. The contact information will be included in all information materials distributed to the public. 3. Maintain the Public Information Mailing List. To ensure that information materials reach the individuals who are interested in or affected by the Site, the Town will maintain and regularly update the Site mailing list. Anyone interested in being added to (or deleted from) the mailing list should contact the project manager. 4. Hold Public Meetings & Comment Periods. The Town will hold a public meeting and provide a 30-day public comment period on the Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) to provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and comment. Other public meetings and comment periods will be held as necessary, including after the remediation activities are complete. The Town will send an announcement of each public meeting and comment period to the individuals on the Site s mailing list, including local officials and news media. The meeting notice will be posted at Town Hall, printed in the Chelmsford Independent, and appear on the Town s website. Meetings will be held at the Town Offices. 5. Outreach to Community Based Organizations The following organizations have committed to helping post community outreach material on their websites and newsletters and invite project managers to meetings to provide updates and answer questions.

11 Westlands Watchdog Neighborhood Association - Westlands Watchdogs is a neighborhood group of concerned citizens originally formed to oppose a proposed housing development. Since then, the Watchdogs have continued to represent the interests of the neighborhood on issues that affect the neighborhood. The subject property is located in the Westlands area of Chelmsford. Chelmsford Business Association The CBA serves as a local chamber of commerce. One of the primary goals of the CBA is to play a vital role in the community, by promoting the interests of the business and professional community, and relaying those concerns to the appropriate town officials. The CBA will be an important participant in this project because the people that make up the CBA have an interest in seeing redevelopment and businesses prosper in the community. The Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a group of citizens working in partnership with state and local governments toward the completion of the proposed rail trail. This is a volunteer group which is active in moving forward the state and federal issues required for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the rail trail, fundraising activities and support for rail trail issues at local town meetings. The Friends work to ensure that all the questions, concerns and other issues are addressed by working in concert with neighborhood associations, each town government, and the citizens of the towns. The Chelmsford Water District provides about 75% of residents in Chelmsford with their water. The district has fourteen wells that draw water from the Concord River Basin and the Merrimack River Basin. 6. Review the Community Relations Plan. The Town will review the Community Relations Plan and revise it as needed to ensure that it provides a program of community relations activities appropriate to on-going activities.