Politics & Government
Company Gets Extension to Deal With Contaminated Site
The Seekonk Board of Selectmen approved an extension that was voted down at an earlier meeting.
A private company will stop monitoring a contaminated property that once housed leady underground fuel tanks – but not yet.
The private engineering firm that has been monitoring the soil and contamination at 41 Lake St. is supposed to finish those efforts this year, but it asked for and received an extension from the Seekonk Board of Selectmen Wednesday night.
Three underground storage tanks were removed from the Lake Street site in the mid-1990s after diesel and gasoline leaked into the ground. The Department of Environmental Protection n(DEP) required the site be continually monitored because the contaminants were found within 500 feet of well water.
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Roger Alcott and Sean Healey of Weston and Sampson, the engineering company hired to clean up the site by the end of the year, asked the selectmen for an extension in order to tie up loose ends. The company already received an extension from the DEP because of an issue with eminent domain and the decommission of a private well.
“They granted the extension because the town has taken the appropriate actions and made a good faith effort,” Alcott said.
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However, the extension was subject to the board’s approval and they wanted further clarification on a few points.
The main concern was whether or not the selectmen would be held personally responsible if the site is found to be in violation in the future, even if the violations are the result of changes to DEP standards.
However, Selectman Dave Parker said he spoke to legal counsel and was told they would have no personal obligation if the standards change in the future.
“I can’t tell you how things will be five years from now with the standards,” said Alcott. “To me it is a slam dunk for closure. I don’t see any problems going forward.”
Alcott said they have done extensive testing and the contaminants show no signs of migration to other areas.
Selectmen John Whelan expressed his support of Weston and Sampson’s efforts, saying, “I have the utmost faith in you as an organization.”
The extension was approved by the board 3 to 1, with Parker, Bill Rice, and Francis Cavaco voting for, Bob McClintock against, and Whelan absent at the time of the vote.
