PFAS update: airport to add four monitoring wells; staff to consult MassDEP on prolonged outreach for water connections
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Summary
Environmental coordinator Madison Collins said four new long‑term PFAS monitoring wells will be installed (two on Runway 15 approach, two on Sun Island) as staff review fuel‑farm remediation scope; staff also reported progress on two water connections while asking counsel whether documented outreach is sufficient under MassDEP consent orders.
The commission received a PFAS and related compliance update from Environmental Coordinator Madison Collins.
Collins reported staff will review the fuel‑farm remediation scope of work next week and install four new long‑term monitoring wells—two on the Runway 15 approach and two on Sun Island—to replace temporary wells and improve long‑term sampling accuracy. She said the wells are monitored periodically by consultants (Weston) and are not currently fitted with automated dataloggers; sampling typically occurs at least quarterly.
Manager Smith reported that two water‑connection projects (addresses cited in the packet) have been approved and work is ready to begin on those homes, while outreach to other homeowners has been challenging. Commissioners asked legal counsel whether documented outreach (certified mail, return receipts, repeated attempts) would allow the airport to move on if homeowners do not engage; staff said they will consult counsel and MassDEP as required by consent orders. Commissioners emphasized the importance of keeping thorough documentation of outreach and the airport’s compliance posture.
The commission asked staff to proceed with documented outreach and return with counsel guidance about whether and when the airport may pause persistent but unsuccessful outreach efforts under the MassDEP compliance framework.