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Resident urges board to disclose contaminated-soil removals and costs tied to fire station project
Summary
A resident told the Select Board the town was told there was no contamination at the fire-station site and now is paying for contaminated-soil removal; she estimated current costs of at least $1 million and urged more proactive public disclosure.
During public comment at the Nov. 17 Select Board meeting, Erin Hutchins of 91 Brigham St. urged the board to disclose ongoing contaminated-soil removals associated with the fire station construction project. Hutchins said correspondence and prior meeting statements told residents there was "no contamination," and she alleged that removal costs already total at least $1 million and could approach $2 million when borrowing costs are included.
"No one is informing the town about these contaminated soils that are continuing to be removed from the fire station building project," Hutchins said. "We're not getting the whole picture." She asked the board to be transparent in future agenda wording and public notices so residents understand the scope and cost of remediation.
Board members acknowledged the public concern and noted the Fire Station Building Committee is overseeing the project and that some discussions about remediation and potential legal issues require sensitive handling. The chair said staff would follow up and consider clearer agenda descriptions and public notices; the board did not take immediate formal action on the request.
