Council ratifies FM Global groundwater testing at town parcel as residents press for PFAS transparency

The Glocester Town Council on Nov. 6 ratified a prior administrative authorization allowing FM Global to test groundwater samples on town property (Plat 2, Lot 10) at the request of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

The action came amid extensive public comment from residents who reported PFAS detections in local surface water and wells and who asked the council to press state agencies and FM Global for transparency and follow‑up. Several residents said they had seen very high PFAS readings cited in published reports and in DEM documents: one speaker noted a pond on FM Global property measured at roughly 19,500 (units as reported in public comment), and others described private well test results ranging from negligible to levels that prompted concern. Residents also described costs for private testing ($400–$1,200 reported anecdotally) and urged the town to help coordinate testing and to press DEM for more comprehensive sampling.

Town staff told the council that DEM is leading the investigation and that FM Global had requested permission to collect samples on the specific town parcel; the clerk had previously collected individual councilor consensus and the council ratified that authorization at the meeting.

Councilors and speakers noted limitations of local authority—town government cannot direct DEM—but said the council would maintain communication with DEM and FM Global and press for updates. Residents urged broader sampling (trees, soil, deer and other pathways) and faster communication about findings and potential impacts to private wells and nearby water resources.

The council’s formal motion ratified permission for FM Global to test groundwater at Town Property Plat 2, Lot 10; the motion passed by voice vote.