Next Steps to clean up BJAT, LLC on Fisher St

From the US EPA:

Site Description:
The BJAT, LLC (BJAT) Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, MA was historically used for industrial operations including the manufacture of rubber and plastic products. The property has not been active since 1985. Investigations have found contaminants in soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water. The Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL), often referred to as the EPA Superfund list, in September 2015, making it eligible for long-term cleanup action under the federal Superfund program.

Next Steps:
In June, with oversight from EPA’s On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), BJAT is expected to begin a Removal Action which will address hazardous substances present in soil and drum waste for the purpose of reducing risk to human health and the environment. Concurrently, EPA’s Remedial Project Manager will begin a study known as a Remedial Investigation (RI). The RI will identify the nature and extent of Site contamination and the potential human health and environmental risks that the Site may pose. 

The results of this study will be used to develop a Feasibility Study (FS) which will identify what long-term cleanup measures may be appropriate to address human health and ecological risk at the Site. The RI/FS is expected to be completed in three or more years and the findings of the RI will be presented in the Proposed Plan for cleanup. In addition, EPA will determine if any additional immediate response actions need to be conducted to address any imminent hazards that are identified by sample collection efforts.

The short-term work that will be conducted during the Removal Action includes: excavation, sampling, staging and covering of drums and other containers, waste and approximately 2,114 tons of contaminated soil; treatment of excavated soil on-site if appropriate; excavation of a limited number of test pits; air monitoring; and off-site shipment of waste, excavated soil, and other contaminated items that may be encountered for disposal, treatment, re-use or recycling.

BJAT will generally work during daylight hours. The Removal Action is expected to take 3 to 6 months. Throughout the work day, BJAT will be monitoring air at the Site for the safety of site workers and the surrounding community. One may expect to see heavy equipment, workers in white suits, and trucks occasionally which may have a slight effect on traffic. Vehicle and truck traffic to and from the site will be limited to Fisher Street and the primary road, West Central Street (i.e., Route 140). Some hazardous materials will be secured on site temporarily while awaiting shipment offsite to an EPA-approved facility.



You can download the full copy from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/bjat_final_pdf_removal_fact_sheet_june_2018.pdf





Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

In the News: EPA details plan for cleanup; SEC reveals it was hacked in 2016

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The cleanup for ground pollution at a Superfund site could take up to 20 years, according to a fully drafted Community Action Plan. 

The draft highlights the planning and progress the Environmental Protection Agency has made regarding the cleanup and Superfund status at 300 Fisher St. 

In 2015, the EPA added the 18-acre property to the Superfund list, which makes the property eligible for state-funded cleanup. The Superfund law provides the EPA with the funds to clean up the sites and gives it authority to force the polluters to lead the efforts or reimburse the government for the work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170921/franklin-fisher-street-cleanup-could-take-20-years

The Community Involvement Plan (CIP) can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/updated-community-involvement-plan-for.html

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

"The federal agency responsible for ensuring that markets function as they should and for protecting investors was hacked last year and the intruders may have used the nonpublic information they obtained to profit illegally. 

The disclosure arrived two months after a government watchdog said deficiencies in the computer systems of the Securities and Exchange Commission put the system, and the information it contains, at risk. 

In July, the Government Accountability Office issued a critical report about the security measures employed by the SEC, citing a number of deficiencies in “the effectiveness of SEC’s controls for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information systems.” It issued 26 recommendations that it said would make SEC systems more secure. 

According to the SEC, the breach was discovered last year, but the possibility of illicit trading was uncovered only last month. It did not explain why the hack itself was not revealed sooner, or which individuals or companies may have been impacted."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20170921/fed-agency-urging-corporate-cybersecurity-upgrades-is-hacked

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

An updated Community Involvement Plan (CIP) from the EPA on the BJAT, LLC. property, 300 Fisher St.


"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Community Involvement Plan (CIP) based predominantly upon input gathered through interviews with Town of Franklin (Franklin) officials and residents, along with other stakeholders interested in the BJAT, LLC. Superfund1 Site (Site). EPA’s goals for community involvement at the Site are:

• To provide the public with accurate, timely, accessible, and understandable information about the project as it moves forward;
• To provide opportunities for the public to become actively involved, especially when decisions about the cleanup are being made;
• To enlist the support and involvement of local officials and community leaders; and
• To encourage, respect and fully consider community input as the project moves forward.

EPA will achieve these goals through various means, including published documents, meetings, presentations, and community conversations. These activities will be based on the community’s needs, as informed by those with whom EPA met while preparing this plan, as well as all legal requirements.

The CIP is a living document and, as necessary and appropriate, it will be updated with community input. If you are interested in suggesting changes to this plan or have questions about it, please contact:

Kimberly White, P.E.
Remedial Project Manager
(617) 918-1752
white.kimberly@epa.gov

ZaNetta Purnell, MPH
Community Involvement Coordinator
(617) 918-1306
Purnell.zanetta@epa.gov

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

In the News: 300 Fisher plan drafted; summer meals gap

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward in its efforts to clean up a Superfund site on Fisher Street. 

The agency has drafted a “Community Involvement Plan” and is beginning its preliminary investigation of the BJAT, LLC property. 

Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator with the EPA, said the agency wants to learn more about the town, as a way to better inform the community as the process advances. 

“It’s about providing access to accurate and timely information, and provide opportunities for the public to be actively involved,” she said. “We did the Community Involvement Plan early on in the process - we usually do it a bit later."

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/franklin-epa-progresses-on-superfund-property

More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

A copy of the draft Community Involvement Plan can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOFpiTURCd2hBNjFudm5tUDYzeXRtcVY5eVU4/view?usp=sharing

Low-income children face summer meals gap

"While nearly 300,000 Massachusetts students get free or reduced-price lunches at school, it’s often a challenge to reach them during the summer. 

“Low-income children are really at risk for hunger and malnutrition during the summer months,” said Jordan Smith, community relations coordinator for Project Bread’s Child Nutrition Outreach Team. 

Last year, federally funded free summer meals programs provided an average of 53,000 lunches per day to children statewide. That represents about 18 percent of students who received free or reduced-price lunch during the school year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides reimbursements to organizations that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks through the federal Summer Food Service Program. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education oversees the programs in Massachusetts, and receives technical assistance from Project Bread, the nonprofit that organizes the annual Boston Walk for Hunger."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/low-income-children-face-summer-meals-gap

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street) Community Involvement Plan.- Comments due today

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street, Franklin, MA) Community Involvement Plan.

The Community Involvement Plan is a dynamic document that can be updated, when necessary, throughout the cleanup process. Attached, please find a draft copy of the plan. Please review and send me any comments you have by Friday, June 9, 2017. Comments we receive will be carefully considered prior to the plan being made publicly available.

Marilyn St. Fleur, MPH
Public Affairs Specialist
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of the Regional Administrator

US EPA, Region 1
5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100
Mail Code ORA01-3
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Telephone: 617-918-1617
Fax: 617-918-0617
Email: stfleur.marilyn@epa.gov

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/126593





More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

EPA "Community Involvement Plan" draft copy for 300 Fisher St is open for review and comment

"The Community Involvement Plan is a dynamic document that can be updated, when necessary, throughout the cleanup process. Attached, please find a draft copy of the plan. 

Please review and send me any comments you have by Friday, June 9, 2017. Comments we receive will be carefully considered prior to the plan being made publicly available."

Marilyn St. Fleur, MPH

Public Affairs Specialist

Community Involvement Coordinator

Office of the Regional Administrator

US EPA, Region 1

5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100
Mail Code ORA01-3
Boston, MA 02109-3912

Email: stfleur.marilyn@epa.gov 




More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

A new Facebook page on the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

A new Facebook page has been set up to provide Franklin residents with a way of accessing information pertaining to the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin. 

BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

Visit the page on Facebook  https://www.prod.facebook.com/groups/280715245661894/

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• EPA visited recently to start building community awareness of the Superfund site

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/the-land-could-help-expand-towns.html

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

"the land could help expand the town's recreational offerings"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator with the agency, said the session was part of an ongoing effort to learn more about Franklin. 

"We sent out a mailing with a factsheet about the property," she said. "We got a few people but we wanted more, so we thought an availability session would help." 

Officials noted that the state is now demolishing the building on the property, a process slated to end in December. That demolition, they said, will be complete before the federal agency undertakes cleanup work. After that, the agency will take samples from the property, develop a plan and seek public comment."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161031/epa-visits-franklin-to-discuss-superfund-site

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

In the News: Police hosting Halloween party, EPA visits DPW in outreach on superfund site

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After being gone for several years, the Franklin Police Department's Halloween party will be rising from the grave this weekend. 

The free event - intended to provide thrills and entertainment for preschoolers through fifth-graders - will run on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the station on Panther Way. 

Detective Eric Copeland, one of the officers organizing the party, said the event itself will feature officers dressed up as superheroes, a bounce house, face painting and pumpkin painting. A "spooky trail" will run along the walking path next to the station. 

There will also, Copeland said, be a variety of food, including popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161028/franklin-police-hosting-halloween-haunting

Franklin Police Station, 911 Panther Way

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency will be returning to town to continue its outreach efforts on a local Superfund site. 

Representatives from the agency will be at the Fisher Street Department of Public Works building on Monday, to get public comment on the BJAT, LLC property, which is also on Fisher Street. 

"We will be there all day," said Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator for the EPA. "We'll have an availability session for individuals who are interested in the site as well." 

Agency representatives came to Franklin earlier this month and held a series of appointments to determine the best way to inform the public of developments. St. Fleur said Monday's visit would feature scheduled meetings as well, but that there would be an open session (from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for those who simply wish to know more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161028/epa-continuing-outreach-on-franklin-superfund-site

EPA Staff Will be in Franklin Monday, Oct. 31 to Discuss BJAT Site with Community Members

EPA will host an availability session for Franklin residents interested to discuss the BJAT Superfund Site. The session will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM at the Franklin Department of Public Works located at 257 Fisher Street, Franklin, Mass.

On Sept. 30, 2015, EPA add the BJAT site, located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, to the "National Priorities List" of Superfund sites. The Superfund program, a federal program established by Congress in 1980, investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country and converts them into productive local resources by eliminating or reducing health risks and environmental contamination associated with hazardous waste sites.

Beginning in the late 1800s, the BJAT LLC site, was used for industrial operations including the manufacturing of rubber and plastic products. The property, inactive since 1985, contains areas of process waste and debris. Further, soil, sediment and ground water are contaminated with lead, mercury and zinc as well as semi-volatile organic compounds.

More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

Looking back to March 2015

The Spectra Bridge pipeline raised itself as an issue during the month of March. There was an information session conducted at Keller Sullivan School on March 16 and a group of concerned citizens started meeting at the First Universalist Society. http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/concerns-with-spectra-atlantic-bridge.html

and here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/what-is-story-about-pipeline-coming.html

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The snow began receding finally! What it revealed was sometimes interesting...

receding snow

More photos from the walk around Franklin can be found here: 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/walking-around-franklin-photo-essay.html


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The Economic Development Committee meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room and the recording of it was made available
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/fm-110-audio-recording-of-economic.html


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The EPA finally got around to adding 300 Fisher St to the listing as a SuperFund site which enables it for special tracking and funding. This move had been underway for quite some time.

map of 300 Fisher St with clean up areas shown

The Milford Daily News reported on the EPA action. The link below contains references to the developing story on this site:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/we-want-that-site-environmentally.html


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The School Committee met twice

• School Committee - 03/24/15
• School Committee - 03/10/15

The Town Council met twice

• Town Council - 03/17/15
• Town Council - 03/03/15

You can cruise through all the archives from March here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015_03_01_archive.html

In the News: Superfund listing good news, Pumpkins in the Park, Purr-fect Cat Shelter fund raising

Area officials reacted favorably to news that a contaminated property on Fisher Street had been added to the Environmental Protection Agency's list of Superfund sites.

The EPA announced Wednesday that the former BJACT LLC property will be placed on the agency's National Priorities List of Superfund sites. The land at 300 Fisher St., according to an EPA release, has been used for industrial purposes since the late 1800s, with rubber and plastic manufacture among its uses. It is currently inactive, and has been so since 1985.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151008865/1994/NEWS

In cooperation with the Franklin Recreation Department, Pumpkins in the Park will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Franklin Sculpture Park on Panther Way, near the police station. 

Those interested are asked to drop off pumpkins between noon and 2 p.m., or 5-6 p.m. Lights will be provided by Franklin Art Center. Event attendees will vote for their favorite pumpkins and prizes will be given for the most creative, scariest and funniest.

Franklin Art Center Facebook photo

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151009491/1994/NEWS

The Purr-fect Cat Shelter will hold the Pour for Paws Wine Tasting fundraiser 2-5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits, 14 Grove St. 

The event will be an afternoon of wine sampling provided by Pour Richard’s and raffle items. Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits will also donate 20 percent of the sales during the event to the Purr-fect Cat Shelter.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151009214/1994/NEWS

In the News: Russian School of Math announces awards, 300 Fisher St added to NPL

The Russian School of Mathematics, an after-school math program for Kindergarten through 12th grade students, announced 11 students from Franklin posted high scores on national and international math competitions. These students are among more than 900 Russian School of Mathematics students across the country who excelled in math competitions this past year.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939567/1994/NEWS

Russian School of Math - Franklin

For more information on the Russian School of Math in Franklin visit them on the web  http://www.russianschool.com/location/franklin

“EPA continues to protect public health and the environment in communities with an industrial past that has left contamination behind,” said EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “Now that the BJAT LLC Site is listed on the NPL, we will begin a comprehensive study and cleanup work in Franklin to help ensure that we are protecting health and the environment in this community.” 

“Superfund designation will promote cleanup of this site,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. “The required cleanup is potentially extensive and complex, so the Superfund will provide the resources needed for achieving a full and comprehensive cleanup. We look forward to working with the EPA.” 

As with all NPL sites, EPA first works to identify companies or people responsible for the contamination at a site, and requires them to conduct or pay for the cleanup. For the newly listed sites without viable potentially responsible parties, EPA will investigate the full extent of the contamination before starting substantial cleanup at the site.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939539/1994/NEWS

image of the site with contamination locations marked

This is a good step in the process started years ago. As recently as July 2014, the MassDEP and EPA made a presentation to the Town Council about getting the site added to the NPL  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

Earlier this year the EPA announced that the application had been submitted for review.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/we-want-that-site-environmentally.html

300 Fisher St - MA DEP, EPA presentation

Matthew Fitzpatrick, from the MA DEP, provided the presentation file used for the discussion on 300 Fisher St during the Town Council meeting Wednesday.

You can view the file here:



All the files on the MA DEP site associated with 300 Fisher St can be found here
http://public.dep.state.ma.us/fileviewer/Rtn.aspx?rtn=2-0016683

and here
http://public.dep.state.ma.us/fileviewer/Rtn.aspx?rtn=2-0017879


One of the recent updates (7/10/14) reveals that the most recent walk through of the site found it to be unsecured "from trespassers"

MASSDEP SPOKE WITH JOE SALVETTI LSP. MASSDEP STATED THE FENCING NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, SIGNAGE REPLACED, AND IRA STATUS REPORTS
MUST BE SUBMITTED.  ALTHOUGH THE FENCING/SIGNAGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED LAST WEEK, THE SITE IS CURRENTLY NOT SECURED.
MASSDEP STATED INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE MUST BE INCREASED SUCH THAT THE SITE IS SECURED FROM TRESPASSERS.

http://public.dep.state.ma.us/fileviewer/Default.aspx?formdataid=4544200&documentid=0

photo of map shown during presentation at Town Council meeting