Showing posts with label DEP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DEP. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

"to design a smart, flexible incentive program that will continue to help advance solar development in our state."

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Vacating a Superior Court judge's ruling, the SJC ruled that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations do not fulfill the specific requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. 
The ruling requires the department to promulgate regulations "that address multiple sources of categories of sources of greenhouse gas emissions, impose a limit on emissions that may be released, limit the aggregate emissions released from each group of regulated sources or categories of sources, set emission limits for each year, and set limits that decline on an annual basis." 
"This is a historic day," Jenny Rushlow, the Conservation Law Foundation's lead attorney on the case, said in a statement. "Today our highest court declared clearly and unequivocally that our leaders can no longer sit on their hands while Massachusetts communities are put at risk from the effects of climate change. Thanks to this landmark decision, our role as a national leader in battling climate change has only been stalled but not sacrificed. Now, with action from DEP, we can get back on track and ensure that the health of our families and future generations is always a top priority."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160517/states-top-court-sides-with-environmentalists-in-suit-over-carbon-emissions

Friday, January 8, 2016

Strategic Materials fined for violating state air pollution control and wetland protection regulations

"The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $17,200 penalty on Strategic Materials, Inc. of Houston, Texas, which operates a glass recycling facility at Kenwood Circle in Franklin, for violating state air pollution control and wetland protection regulations. 
State of MA DEP
State of MA DEP
Strategic Materials holds an air quality permit issued by MassDEP, which establishes emission limits and operating requirements for the glass bottle-crushing facility. Inspections conducted by MassDEP staff in 2014 identified violations of both the permit and the Wetlands Protection Act regulations."

Continue reading the press release by the State of MA DEP
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/news/releases/franklin-recycling-facility-assessed-17200-penalty.html

In the News: senior assistance approved, recycling business fined, feedback from seniors sought

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Town Council considered - and ultimately accepted - two initiatives intended to make it easier for local seniors to pay their property taxes. 
The council unanimously approved a higher tax exemption for seniors older than 70 who make less than $19,000 a year and a higher ceiling for the senior tax work-off program. 
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said an increase in the state's minimum wage at the beginning of the year - from $9 to $10 an hour - allowed the town to bolster its work-off program, in which seniors volunteer at town departments in exchange for credit on their tax bills. The town is only allowed to pay seniors up to the minimum wage.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/franklin-council-approves-senior-tax-measures


A Kenwood Circle glass recycling business has been fined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for violations of state air quality and wetlands rules, the department announced Thursday. 
The company - Houston-based Strategic Materials, Inc. - was fined $17,200 by the department after staff discovered violations in 2014, according to the announcement.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/franklin-facility-fined-by-dep

Franklin Senior Center
Franklin Senior Center

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D-Franklin, will host a community conversation with senior citizens to discuss issues that impact their lives and to provide information on the various state programs available to them. Area seniors, their loved ones, and caregivers are invited to the event that will take place at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. 
Roy’s special guest for the event is State Rep. Denise C. Garlick, D-Needham, the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. Garlick, who is also a registered nurse, will speak about the $3.5 billion dollars allocated to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and MassHealth for senior programs. Aside from MassHealth, Garlick will address other funded initiatives including homecare and nursing homes, prescription drug assistance, Council on Aging funding, protective services, elder housing and nutrition programs.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/state-rep-roy-to-host-conversation-with-franklin-medway-seniors

Thursday, March 26, 2015

"We want that site environmentally cleaned"


The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed adding a former manufacturing property on Fisher Street to its list of federal Superfund sites. 
The designation would make the polluted 18-acre property eligible for funding for the cleanup. The agency could announce the addition of the site to its National Priorities List as early as this fall. 
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. There are 38 sites in Massachusetts listed on the National Priorities List.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150326/NEWS/150327316/1994/NEWS


This is no surprise. Franklin has been aware of the site for some time and working through the process to get it added to the listing to be eligible for government funding of the clean up required.

The EPA and MassDEP made a presentation to the Town Council July 9, 2014 in preparation for yesterday's announcement
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

Where is the property located?

image of superfund site
image of superfund site

Additional details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html


The original press release can be viewed here
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/b240f4dd49480dcf85257e1200725e74?OpenDocument

Friday, February 27, 2015

In the News: Franklin receives DEP grant, DEP fines Franklin owner for improper asbestos removal


The Department of Public Works plans to use money from a state grant to curb the amount of stormwater draining into the Charles River. 
The town on Tuesday won a $119,000 grant through a state Department of Environmental Protection initiative to help cites and towns manage local water supplies. In all, DEP awarded around $755,000 in grants to 12 communities, including Medway. 
Franklin DPW Robert Cantoreggi said Thursday the grant will fund work to build a water recharge area off Jefferson Road.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150227/NEWS/150226926/1994/NEWS#sthash.qKXmtquO.dpuf


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed both Cohen One Realty Trust and its trustee, Harold S. Cohen of Franklin, $54,895 penalties for violating state asbestos regulations during the demolition of a Franklin residence owned by the Trust. Total fines assessed were $109,790. 
Although the Trust had the residence surveyed for asbestos-containing materials, it did not have them properly removed by a licensed asbestos contractor before demolishing the building. Also, the Trust did not notify MassDEP prior to commencing the demolition work as required by the regulations.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150227/NEWS/150226925/1994/NEWS#sthash.JdZSrFvc.dpuf

Friday, July 11, 2014

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
photo of map shown during presentation at Town Council meeting

300 Fisher St (map)

A follow up email from a Fisher St resident prompted sharing this map.



As I understand the water flow, Mine Brook flows from the Fisher St area towards Beaver St and i495. As you look at this map, it would be flowing up to the top of the map and to the left (oriented as north and westerly).

screen shot of the detailed map showing contamination at 300 Fisher St and Mine Brook
screen shot of the detailed map showing contamination at 300 Fisher St and Mine Brook


The details on the hazardous waste (contaminated soil and ground water) can be found in the notes from the Town Council meeting this week:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html


The presentation document and associated MA DEP files on 300 Fisher St can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Live reporting - EPA - 300 Fisher St


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

EPA
multiple folks from MassDEP and US EPA presenting
a multi-million dollar cleanup
contamination extends outside the property boundaries and includes Mine Brook
can qualify for SuperFund listing process

(presentation to be added later) presentation added 7/11/14 - 5:30 AM




six primary areas for contamination
contamination is migrating down Mine Brook, it is not going into Beaver Pond
need to investigate further and to address the contamination that is present

BJAT LLC is property owner and lack resources to deal with the clean up

Discussion on the ownership, whose responsible, etc. will be investigated by EPA as part of this process
determination of liability will be part of the effort
EPA has resources that the State of MA doesn't have access to

It is not likely to be associated with the Town but that final determination has not yet been made

Health risks - physical hazards, as well as lead in Mine Brook that is migrating

EPA has legislation to go after the appropriate parties for liability and to provide funds via the SuperFund if necessary

anyone who has had a hand in contributing or not limiting the contamination will be identified

EPA has a good track record with Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP)

MA has 37 Superfund sites within the state, 70% have responsible parties involved

EPA came in later, MA DEP had asked them first
first notification came in 2007, an engineering company walked through and suspected contamination which was confirmed with research and testing

The EPA is not involved with the NuStyle property as it is not a SuperFund site. They have assisted the Town with remediation

Assistance is being looking for in getting the site onto the listing, it will require a letter from the Governor

There is no air borne solution, just soil and ground water contamination

The process is iterative, in the assess phase right now

SuperFund takes awhile to get it cleaned up
requires multiple Federal rule milestones

National Priorities Listing (NPL)
EPA proposes sites twice a year, the next cycle would be for next spring (spring 2015)
would require letter from Governor by Fall 2014

it is fair to say that this could take a decade or more to resolve
it will be a number of years to get our arms around the scope of the effort

The Federal government does not take ownership, we do place liens on the property to help repay the costs

boots on the ground late 2016 or 2017 to do the real investigation
remediation had to speculate, would be a number of years off

Kelly - are they in good tax status?
Nutting - I don't know off hand

motion to draft letter as necessary, seconded, passed 8-0
letter should be ready by Friday


Sunday, April 20, 2014

Franklin wins another award - this time for water conservation

The Mass Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced that Franklin has won an award for its efforts on water conservation.

The MassDEP writes:
MassDEP recognizes the effort and dedication your system has evidenced in implementing exemplary water conservation measures during the 2013 calendar year. Conserving our drinking water to ensure that we have enough water for future generations and to minimize impacts to our water resources is a major initiative we must all take. It is our belief that public water systems going above and beyond what is required should be recognized for their endeavors. 

Franklin DPW headquarters
Franklin DPW headquarters

You can find the full statement of the award on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01D3668E-000F8513

or here




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Public Health Advisory: Private drinking water wells

Mass DEP/USGS Arsenic and Uranium Bedrock Well Study, Public Health Advisory


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Drinking Water Program released the results of a U.S. Geological Survey study regarding arsenic and uranium in private drinking water wells in Massachusetts on March 21, 2011.


The study suggests that naturally occurring arsenic and uranium levels in some private drinking water wells in Franklin may exceed recommended levels. Mass DEP has developed a comprehensive website to provide town residents with information regarding the details of the study, the resources for determining if one’s well may be impacted, as well as information on well testing and mitigation procedures.


At the current time, only private drinking water wells in a small area of southwest Franklin have been determined to be suspect based on maps provided by Mass DEP.


The Franklin Health Department urges residents in the suspect areas to carefully review all information on the Mass DEP website, and to have their drinking water wells tested and treated as necessary.


Residents who are served by the town’s public drinking water wells are not affected by this advisory.


Important Contacts:


For questions regarding the US Geological Survey report contact John Colman at USGS at (508)-490-5027.


For questions regarding health effects of arsenic and uranium contact Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617)-624-5757 or (800)-240-4266.


For questions regarding arsenic mitigation contact Joe Cerutti, Mass DEP at (617) 292-5859.


For questions regarding uranium mitigation contact Steve Hallem, Mass DEP at (617)-292-5681.


You may also contact the Franklin Health Department at (508)-520-4905.


http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/au/aulocate.htm



Franklin, MA

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Are your oil fired buners compliant?

From the massgov Twitter stream today, I saw:
@massgov: Older oil burners must be upgraded to prevent leaks - A law enacted over a year ago (St. 2008, c.453) requires home... http://ow.ly/16tOyU 

When you follow the link you find: (bold added for my emphasis)
A law enacted over a year ago (St. 2008, c.453) requires homeowners with oil burners installed before 1990 to make a small change to their systems by July 1, 2010 to prevent leaks. According to the Mass. DEP, under the Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law,  "Owners of 1- to 4-unit residences that are heated with oil must already have or install an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with a protective sleeve...  Installation of these devices must be performed by a licensed oil burner technician."  "It is important to note that heating oil systems installed on or after January 1, 1990 most likely are already in compliance because state fire codes implemented these requirements on new installations at that time."

The good news is that the law also requires insurers who offer homeowner's insurance to also offer coverage for oil leaks to those who have certified that they have made the repairs or are exempt from the requirement.

More information, including a diagram of necessary repairs, is available at the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection site.
The burner in my house failed and was replaced in Sep 2008 so I know we are compliant. This is the first I hear that there is a deadline to be complaint by July 1, 2010.

Is your oil fired burner compliant?