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Council approves $1 million to begin remediation design after contaminated soil found at Gold Star Mothers Park
Summary
After staff reported lead and other contaminants at Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park, council approved a $1,000,000 free-cash appropriation to remove stockpiled soil and start remediation and reconstruction design; staff said full remediation could cost roughly $10 million and that regulatory approvals will affect the timeline.
The Cambridge City Council on Nov. 20 approved a $1,000,000 appropriation from free cash to fund initial soil removal and design work for Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park after testing found contaminated fill, including lead, on the site.
Lede: The council voted to move the appropriation forward to begin removal of contaminated stockpiled soil and to initiate design work for park remediation, after staff told the council groundwater testing shows no evidence of contaminant migration off-site.
Why it matters: Gold Star Mothers Park is a major open space in East Cambridge; staff said the park closure and remediation work will disrupt public use and could be an expensive multi-year project. Officials said the site will essentially be reconstructed — the city expects to excavate and rebuild — and estimated a ballpark total cost on the order of $10 million.
What staff said: Commissioner Nardone and department staff told council that soil-testing practices are risk-based: surface coverings such as sod, rubber surfacing and asphalt limit exposure unless soil is disturbed. Staff said groundwater wells showed no evidence of contaminant migration and that the city is engaging state regulators (MassDEP and EPA) to determine the appropriate remediation path. The timeline is a “moving target,” but staff are aiming to start construction work in 2027 if regulatory review and design go as planned.
Council questions and next steps: Councilors pressed staff on where contaminated soil will be transported, whether onsite mixing could reduce disposal costs, and how remediation will be funded. Assistant City Manager said the $1,000,000 is initial free-cash funding to begin design and cleanup; overall construction may be scheduled in the bond program and could require delaying other projects. Staff said they will bring additional budget proposals and design details back to council as the regulatory process proceeds.
Outcome: The appropriation was approved by roll call with nine members recorded in the affirmative; the item was then placed on file per council procedure.
