Hebron — The town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) Action Committee on Sept. 25 presented preliminary plans and environmental survey results for the existing public works and transfer-station parcel at 550 Old Colchester Road.

Committee chair David Rose said the packet distributed to selectmen includes a hazardous-building-materials (Phase I) report that identified chrysotile (white) asbestos in some structures, and the Phase I work also flagged possible underground storage tanks (USTs) with incomplete town records. The committee reported that soil borings and installation of monitoring wells were underway to determine whether any contamination exists and to define any remedial needs.

Why it matters: The town is exploring a rebuilt public‑works facility and transfer‑station layout on the site. Unknown environmental conditions such as USTs and asbestos affect project cost, schedule and permitting; the committee said further investigation is required before final design.

Findings and next steps
David Rose, chair of the DPW Action Committee’s communications subcommittee, led the presentation and noted that much of the west side of the property is capped landfill and is not usable for development; the committee’s work is focused on the east side of the parcel. He said the Phase I hazardous-materials survey identified chrysotile asbestos in building materials and that ‘‘there are some underground storage tanks for fuel’’ that may have been removed but lack town documentation.

Rose told the board that contractors from Langan (the consultant listed in the meeting packet) were performing soil borings the week of the meeting and that monitoring wells would follow to track the potential movement of contaminants.

Architectural and site design
The committee also showed preliminary elevations and site plans indicating a new DPW building, garage bays, vehicle circulation paths and a separated transfer-station area to minimize interactions between the public and DPW operations. The presentation stressed that the drawings are not final and have already been returned to the architect for functional revisions.

Rose and other committee members emphasized design choices intended to improve longevity and reduce maintenance costs, such as masonry rather than metal paneling for exterior walls. The packet lists turning‑circle and fueling/salt‑storage arrangements as items still under review.

Land acquisition request
The committee asked the board to consider progressing a purchase of land immediately adjacent to the south of the site from Eversource, saying that the parcel is not required for the current plan but could be strategically useful for future expansion or to meet future regulatory requirements.

No vote taken; continued review
Selectmen asked questions about recordkeeping for removed tanks, the timing of the borings and the expected schedule for further reports. The committee said it will return monthly with updates and that the environmental reports and borings will determine whether any remedial work is required before demolition or construction.

Ending: The board received the presentation for review and asked staff and the DPW Action Committee to provide the borings results, the environmental report and any purchase‑option details before the next update.