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Board hears landfill groundwater and leachate repair update amid resident concerns over 1,4‑dioxane
Summary
Health department staff updated the Board on groundwater-monitoring well repairs, leachate system work and potential costs; residents urged more testing and a licensed professional to investigate 1,4‑dioxane contamination.
Health department staff told the Gardner City Board of Health that repairs to groundwater-monitoring wells and leachate systems at the municipal landfill remain on hold until the ground dries, and that any leachate-system repair will require a public bidding process and additional funding.
Micah, Health Department staff, said the monitoring area was inundated over winter and will be repaired when conditions dry. He said the leachate-repair project will require a public bid when costs exceed the city threshold (projects above $50,000), and that previously-encumbered funds exist from earlier planning work but may not cover current costs. Micah reported that CSI provided a recent estimate and that the bid/repair cost could be higher than earlier estimates given inflation and the age of the prior estimate. A ballpark repair figure discussed in the meeting was about $45,000; earlier encumbrances on the project totaled roughly $143,000 with some funds already spent on plan preparation.
Board members said they would confer with the city auditor and the mayor's office to identify available funds and to decide whether to move forward with a public bidding process once funds are confirmed. Micah said he would check the encumbered balance and continue conversations with the auditor about free cash near the end of the fiscal year.
During public comment, resident Alan Russo commended the board’s work, requested the board pursue additional historic data on 1,4‑dioxane testing, and asked the board to obtain an estimate for hiring a licensed site professional (LSP) and identify funding sources for a fuller investigation. An attendee identified in the transcript as "Old male resident" urged the board to follow up with the mayor and press for answers; other residents expressed frustration at the pace of progress and asked the board to seek more testing and clearer mitigation plans.
Board members and staff said they have been coordinating with MassDEP and EPA and that additional data collection will be necessary before state or federal agencies can recommend specific mitigation steps. The board directed staff to continue outreach to the auditor and mayor on funding and to prepare for a bid process if funds are identified.
