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Resident raises safety and transparency concerns about paperboard demolition debris; councilors say remediation ongoing
Summary
A nearby resident said testing found demolition debris suitable only for commercial use and not residential reuse; she urged immediate removal or secure storage. Council members and staff said remediation plans are under way and health-safety protocols were followed.
A Middletown resident urged the City Council on June 3 to accelerate removal of demolition debris from the former paperboard factory site on Verity Parkway, saying recent test results show the material is not recommended for residential reuse.
Marva Gaston, a retired veteran and community ambassador, said she was told by city staff that testing results showed the debris complied with state guidelines but, on reviewing the lab report, she found the consultant recommended the material only for commercial or industrial backfill and “not recommended for residential land use.” She said the city had not disclosed that distinction to residents and described witnessing a bulldozer leveling the site that she feared could have triggered a safety incident.
Gaston asked why the city doesn’t sell or permanently remove the material to avoid circulating potentially harmful debris in surrounding neighborhoods and said she was worried about children accessing the pile now that school is out.
Council members thanked Gaston for raising the issue and said staff and contractors were following an abatement plan. Councilman Lolli said the test results meant the material could be used for commercial or light-industrial redevelopment but “you won't be able to build residential sites on it, not that the residents around it are at risk.” He described the cleanup as following planned procedures and urged patience while mitigation continues.
Council member Carter said she was concerned about dust and called for moving the material out of the neighborhood if possible. Council member West expressed similar concerns about windblown dust and safety with children out of school and asked staff for an updated timeline.
City staff later told the council the demolition and remediation have involved the consultant Burgess and Knipell and that measures had been planned to abate and monitor the site. Council members said they would continue conversations with staff and the city manager to ensure community safety and to provide updates to residents.
No formal vote or new remediation order was taken at the June 3 meeting. Council members asked staff to follow up with the resident and provide a more detailed timeline and communication to nearby households.
