Canfield board approves access, temporary fencing and outside environmental oversight after nearby chemical spill

The Canfield Local Schools Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved a temporary fence on district property, an access agreement for a contractor to perform testing, and a contract for an independent environmental consultant after Superintendent Joseph A. Noll briefed the board on ongoing corrective‑action work related to a chemical spill at the nearby MSC facility.

Noll said Ohio EPA and a contractor, August Mac Environmental, have been on site to contain the release and launch investigations, and that the district is coordinating with regulators and the contractor on soil, vapor and groundwater testing. "Tonight, I am asking the board to approve a resolution for a fence to be placed on our property," Noll said during his superintendent's update. He described proposed soil‑gas sampling and indoor air testing in district buildings including the weight room, wrestling room and a concession stand, and said testing in high‑school parking lots and select buildings is planned "weather permitting" for the coming weekend.

The board adopted three agenda resolutions related to the matter. It voted to hire Professional Service Industries Incorporated to provide environmental consulting and oversight of testing and reports; to authorize a license agreement allowing a temporary fence on district property near the creek and athletic fields; and to authorize an access agreement with August Mac Environmental Inc. to permit on‑site testing. All three motions passed on roll call votes.

Why it matters: the spill involves trichloroethylene (TCE) and has prompted state oversight, on‑site interim measures and testing in areas adjacent to the creek and district property. The district said the work will include soil, vapor and groundwater sampling and indoor air testing to determine whether site contamination affects school facilities or parking areas.

Details and timeline: Noll said the Ohio EPA has a corrective action plan and that August Mac began on‑site work in July; he described a current phase of investigation. The superintendent said district staff will seek help from a contracted consultant to interpret technical results: "We're gonna rely on this company and a gentleman specifically to come in and give me some guidance on all these tests ... and then pass it on to the board," he said. Board members were told that August Mac has agreed to pay for the work and testing being performed on the campus, while the district is arranging for third‑party oversight to review and explain the reports for district decision‑makers.

Testing locations mentioned by the superintendent include soil‑gas sampling points in the parking area, two indoor‑air test locations (the weight room/wrestling area and the concession stand), wetlands and tributary sampling areas near the creek, and additional soil/vapor/groundwater samples. Noll said the consultant expects test results in about three to four weeks, after which the Ohio EPA will determine any required next steps.

Fencing and property access: the temporary fence will run along the north side of district property near the soccer and baseball fields and connect to existing baseball fencing; board members discussed including gated access points for field retrieval and maintenance. The license is intended to allow construction of fencing required by the EPA's interim actions while testing and remediation proceed. The access agreement authorizes August Mac to perform drilling and sampling on district property; board members emphasized that August Mac is responsible for restoring any drill holes or temporary disturbances.

Board oversight and costs: board members described hiring a district‑retained consultant to interpret data and reports. The board adopted a resolution to contract with Professional Service Industries for that purpose. Superintendent Noll and other board members said they would ask August Mac whether it is willing to reimburse or cover the district's oversight cost, and one board member volunteered to contact the company.

Quotes from the meeting: Superintendent Joseph A. Noll: "Tonight, I am asking the board to approve ... a fence to be placed on our property." He added, "We're gonna rely on this company ... to come in and give me some guidance on all these tests ... and then pass it on to the board." Noll also urged calm and community cooperation: "As always, Canfield, we're always stronger together."

What wasn't decided: the board approved authorization to allow access and to hire an environmental consultant for oversight, but no remediation plan was adopted by the district; any further corrective action will be directed through the Ohio EPA and implemented by August Mac according to the regulator's requirements.

Next steps: testing was planned "weather permitting" for the coming weekend; the district expects to receive preliminary testing reports in roughly three to four weeks, after which the Ohio EPA will determine further action and the district's consultant will help translate findings for staff and the board.

Ending: Board members said they will keep the community informed through regular updates and that district staff will continue to press for thorough, timely reporting as testing proceeds.